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A HISTORY  OF 
THE  CIVIL  WAR  IN  THE 
UNITED  STATES 


A HISTORY  OF 
THE  CIVIL  WAR  IN  THE 
UNITED  STATES 


BY 

VERNON  BLYTHE,  A.B.,  M.D. 


“With  malice  toward  none,  with  charity 
for  all,  with  firmness  in  the  right,  as 
God  gives  us  to  see  the  right.” 

— Abrahaji  LiycoLN. 


NEW  YORK 

THE  NEALE  PUBLISHING  COMPANY 
1914 


Copyright,  1914,  by 

The  Neale  Publishing  Company 


TO 

THE  MEMORY  OF  MY  LATE  FATHER 

WILLIAM  M.  BLYTHE 


369688 


\ 


I / ' ^ ' 


t 


PEEFACE 


Writers  of  history  concerning  the  great  Civil  War  that 
occurred  in  the  United  States  during  the  sixties  cannot  very 
well  hope  to  discover  new  facts,  nor  can  they  expect  to  nar- 
rate events  and  conditions  hitherto  never  presented.  Suf- 
ficient time,  however,  has  elapsed  since  the  dreadful  struggle 
for  a fair  and  clear  description  of  the  momentous  events  of 
that  war  to  he  made  by  children  of  the  men  who  engaged  in  it. 

Though  a Southerner, — the  son  of  one  who  fought  in  the 
Confederate  armies, — accustomed  since  early  childhood  to 
hear  personal  narratives  of  Southern  dash  and  valor  (hut  to 
read  more  often  the  Uorthem  version  of  the  war),  it  is  my 
purpose  to  give  an  unprejudiced  account  of  the  events  nar- 
rated and  of  the  personages  mentioned.  It  shall  be  my  en- 
deavor to  be  untrammeled  either  by  sectional  sentiment  or 
partisan  prejudice.  By  balancing  and  carefully  weighing 
the  value  of  State  records,  official  war  reports,  the  truthful- 
ness of  personal  narratives,  and  the  fairness  of  historical 
writings,  I shall  endeavor  to  give  equal  justice  to  all ; always 
keeping  in  mind  that  thoug’h  we  have  a great  united  country 
the  South  and  Xorth  alike  wish  honor  to  be  given  where 
honor  is  due  and  that  human  nature  asks  that  the  darker 
places  in  many  lives  be  not  too  highly  illuminated. 

To  have  a proper  conception  of  great  historical  events  and 
of  the  magnitude  of  these  events,  it  is  necessary  to  have  an 
intelligent  knowledge  of  the  real  and  immediate  causes  lead- 
ing to  them.  Where  war  occurs  political  conditions  and 
social  affairs  of  the  time  must  he  imderstood,  and  the  wealth, 
natural  resources,  characteristics  of  the  people,  and  military 
supplies  must  he  taken  into  account,  throughout  the  history. 
The  geographical  situations  must  be  studied,  for  the  moun- 

7 


369688 


8 


PREFACE 


tains,  rivers,  coast-lines,  railroads,  highways,  and  line  of 
travel  have  a great  bearing  on  the  course  of  events. 

Our  knowledge  of  the  attitude  of  the  separate  governments 
toward  their  respective  sections,  their  leadership,  the  political 
and  economical  problems  during  the  strife,  has  much  to  do 
with  a fair  judgment  of  the  final  results. 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Peeface  7 

CHAPTER 

I  Catjses  of  the  Civil  War * ...  13 

II  Material  axd  Military  Eesources  of  the  North 

AND  Those  of  the  South,  1861 21 

III  Leading  Events  from  Fort  Sumter  to  Bull  Eun  . 29 

IV  Old  Virginia 39 

V  The  Military  Moi’ements  After  Bull  Eun  to  the 

Close  of  ’61 48 

VI  IVIiLiTARY  Events  in  the  East  from  the  Time  of 

Bull  Eun  to  the  Year  1862  55 

VII  Institution  of  Southern  Blockade 62 

VIII  Mills  Springs  and  Fort  Donelson 65 

IX  Shiloh  75 

X Campaign  of  ’62  in  Missouri 80 

XI  The  Expedition  Against  New  Orleans  ....  87 

XII  The  War  in  the  East  in  1862. — Outskirt  Events 

OF  Early  ’62 91 

XIII  McClellan’s  Peninsular  Campaign 94 

XIV  Seven  Days’  Battle  Before  Eichmond  ....  101 

XV  Pope’s  Campaign  in  Virginia 106 

XVI  Lee’s  First  Invasion  of  Maryland 112 

XVII  Lee’s  Movements  After  Antietam 118 

XVIII  The  Western  Campaign  During  the  Latter  Part 

OF  the  Year  1862  122 

XIX  luKA  AND  Corinth 129 

XX  Battle  of  Murfreesboro 134 

XXI  Early  Military  Operations  of  1863  137 

XXII  Campaign  and  Battle  of  Chancellorsville  . . . 142 

XXIII  The  Vicksburg  Campaign 149 

XXIV  Banks’  Louisiana  Campaign  to  the  Fall  of  Port 

Hudson 159 

XXV  Campaign  and  Battle  of  Gettysburg 162 

XXVI  The  Summer  Expedition  Against  Charleston,  1863  . 180 

XXVII  Chickamauga  and  Chattanooga  Campaign  . . .183 

XXVIII  Irregular  Warfare  in  Arkansas,  Missouri,  and 

Kansas  in  1863  203 

XXIX  Transmississippi  After  Fall  of  Vicksburg  and 

Port  Hudson 206 


9 


10 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  PAGE 


XXX  The  Last  Military  Operations  of  1863  in  Virginia  208  y 
XXXI  The  Year  1864.  Important  Events  in  the  Missis- 
sippi  Valley  Prior  to  Sherman’s  Georgia  Cam- 
paign   211 

XXXII  A Florida  Expedition 222  ^ 

XXXIII  Sherman’s  Movement  Toivaed  Atlanta  ....  224  ^ 

XXXIV  Johnston  Relieved  from  Command.  General  Hood 

Appointed  in  His  Place 232 

XXXV  Naval  Events  of  Great  Importance  During  the 

Summer  of  1864  242 

XXXVI  The  Alabama,  The  Kearsarge,  and  Other  Vessels  246 
XXXVII  General  Price’s  Last  Invasion  of  Missouri  . . . 250 

XXXVIII  The  Year  1864  in  Virginia.  General  Grant’s  Move- 
ments After  Chattanooga 253 

XXXIX  The  Wilderness  Campaign 255 

XL  Movement  to  Spottsylvania.  The  Battle  . . . 261 

^ — XLI  Military  Movements  in  the  Kanawha  Valley  and  / 

THE  Shenandoah  267  '' 

XLII  Grant’s  Movements  After  Spottsylvania.  Cold 

Harbor  269 

XLIII  Grant  Establishes  Himself  Before  Petersburg  . 274 

XLIV  Early’s  Movement  in  the  Valley -277 

— XLV  Sheridan  Against  Early  in  the  Valley  . . . . 281 

XLVI  Siege  of  Petersburg  and  Subsequent  Events  . . . 287 

- XLVII  Hood’s  Campaign  After  Sherman’s  Capture  of  . 

Atlanta 297 

XLVIII  Minor  Operations  During  the  Late  Fall  and  Early 

Winter  of  1864  315 

XLIX  Sherman’s  March  to  the  Sea 320 

L The  Year  1865.  Combined  Naval  and  Land  Opera- 
tions OF  1865  327 

LI  Capture  of  Mobile 331 

■ " LII  Sherman’s  March  Through  the  Carolinas,  Includ-  ^ 
iNG  THE  Fall  of  Charleston  and  Schofield’s 
Operations  After  the  Fall  of  Wilmington  . . 334 

LIII  Stoneman’s  Last  Eaid,  March  20 — ^April  20,  1865  . 346 

LIV  The  Year  1865  in  Old  Virginia 352 

LV  Lee’s  Retreat  and  Surrender 363 

■ LVI  Lincoln’s  Assassination 372 

LVII  Ijiportant  Events  of  the  War  After  Lee’s  Sur- 
render. Johnston  and  Sherman 375 

LVIII  The  Relative  Fighting  Forces  of  the  Two  Contest- 
ants. Their  Losses  in  Men  and  Money  . . . 383 

Principle  Sources 389 

Index 393 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTEATIONS 


Seat  of  Operations  During  the  Civil  War,  1861- 

1865 Frontispiece 

FACING  PAGE 

Principal  Bailroads  and  Elvers  of  the  South  in  1861  . . 24 

Hampton  Eoads  and  Yieinity 91 

The  Country  from  the  Potomac  to  Harrisburg  ....  112 

Charleston  Harbor  and  Approaches 137 

Chancellorsville 142 

Gettysburg 162 

Cleburne’s  Own  Map  of  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga  . . 190 

Atlanta  and  Yieinity 232 

General  Map  of  the  Battlefields  Around  Eichmond  . . . 287 


A HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 
IN  THE  UNITED  STATES 


CHAPTEE  I 

CAUSES  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 

The  real  causes  of  the  Civil  War  did  not  arise  just  prior 
to  Mr.  Lincoln’s  election,  hut  had  been  fermenting  and  brew- 
ing for  many  years.  Most  of  them  may  be  traced  to  the  sec- 
tional differences  concerning  the  slavery  question ; but  the 
tariff  issue  and  the  great  problems  of  State  Eights  were  ever 
present.  Henry  Clay  in  his  speech  before  the  United  States 
Senate, — Eebruary  6,  1850, — on  his  own  compromise  meas- 
ures sums  up  the  prospective  causes  of  the  dissolution  of  the 
Union  as  follows : 

“ If  the  Union  is  to  be  dissolved  for  any  existing  causes, 
it  Avill  be  dissolved  because  slavery  is  interdicted  or  not  al- 
lowed to  be  introduced  into  the  ceded  territories ; because 
slavery  is  threatened  to  be  abolished  in  the  District  of  Colum- 
bia; and  because  fugitive  slaves  are  not  returned, — as  in 
my  opinion  they  ought  to  be  restored, — to  their  masters. 
This,  I believe,  will  be  the  causes,  if  there  be  any  causes, 
which  can  lead  to  the  direful  events  to  ivhich  I have  referred.” 

Hegro  slavery  had  been  established  in  the  colonies  long 
before  the  Eevolutionary  War.  The  nature  of  the  climate 
and  the  industries  in  the  Horth  caused  the  holding  of  slaves 
to  be  less  profitable  there  than  in  the  South.  For  this  reason 
in  1788,  when  the  newly  adopted  Constitution  went  into 
effect,  all  the  States  north,  of  the  Mason  and  Dixon  line, 

13 


14 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


with  the  exception  of  Hew  Jersey  and  Hew  York,  had  made 
provisions  for  a gradual  emancipation  of  their  slaves.  Hew 
York  in  1800  and  Hew  Jersey  in  1804  made  emancipation 
provision  for  their  slaves;  but  the  processes  of  emancipation 
were  slow,  and  as  late  as  1840  there  were  only  four  north- 
ern States  where  slaves  were  not  held  in  bondage,  namely: 
Maine,  Massachusetts,  Vermont,  and  Michigan.  The  South 
was  distinctly  an  agricultural,  cotton-raising  region.  Its 
industries  were  their  greatest  sources  of  wealth.  The  South- 
ern people  considered  that  their  material  prosperity  depended 
to  the  greatest  extent  upon  the  continuance  of  slavery  as  an 
economic  institution. 

The  Horth  had  developed  a great  manufacturing  industry 
and  a large  maritime  trade  allied  with  much  agricultural 
interest,  and  it  claimed  that  the  success  and  prosperity  of  that 
section  was  due  to  free  labor.  A greater  increase  of  the 
Avhite  population  in  the  Horth  than  in  the  South  had  occurred 
through  a large  European  emigration,  and  the  representatibn 
in  Congress  from  Southern  States  had  relatively  decreased. 
After  the  War  of  1812  there  were  markedly  altered  industrial 
conditions  in  the  two  sections.  The  Horthern  people  de- 
manded a high  protective  tariff.  There  were  no  cotton- 
spinners  in  the  South.  An  act  was  passed  April  27,  1816, 
imposing  a 20  per  cent.'  tariff  on  all  imported  cotton  goods 
and  woolen  stuffs, — an  act  that  also  provided  that  no  duty 
on  such  goods  should  he  less  than  61/4  cents  a yard.  This 
tariff  bore  heavily  on  the  Southern  slaveholders  and  cotton- 
producers. 

In  1824  all  Southerners  were  opposed  to  tariff  protection 
but  the  Eastern  and  Western  Legislators  combined  and  made 
a 37  per  cent.  duty.  The  South  claimed  that  this  tariff 
operated  entirely  for  the  good  of  ■t^„  Horth  and  was  an- 
tagonistic to  the  Southern  farTpp,r.J^TaTiff  issues  were  there- 
I fore  among  the  leading  reasons  for  the  hitt^  feeling  that  arose 
\ and  continued  to  grow  between  the  sections. 


CAUSES  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


15 


The  slavery  question  was  always  a paramount  issue  be- 
tween the  two  great  regions.  In  the  Federal  Convention  of 
1787  it  was  discussed  and  compromises  were  made  relative  to 
its  benefits  to  the  Uorth  as  well  as  to  the  South.  The  Federal 
Ratios  meant  that  representatives  and  direct  taxes  should  be 
apportioned  among  the  several  States  that  might  be  included 
within  the  Union  according  to  their  respective  populations, 
which  should  be  determined  by  adding  to  the  whole  number  of 
free  persons  those  bound  to  service  for  a term  of  years,  and 
by  excluding  Indians  and  three-fifths  of  all  other  persons. 
This  last  phrase  meant  slaves. 

In  the  third  compromise  Congress  passed  a law  prohibiting 
slave  trade, — a law  that  was  to  become  effective  in  1808.  A 
tax  of  $10  on  each  imported  slave  was  to  be  levied ; but  this 
was  never  due. 

In  1793  the  Fugitive  Slave  Act  was  created  under  the  pro- 
visions of  the  Constitution ; Article  IV,  Section  2,  Clause  3. 

Ro  person  held  to  seiwice  or  labor  in  one  State,  under  the 
laws  thereof,  escaping  into  another,  shall,  in  consequence  of 
any  law  or  regulation  therein,  be  discharged  from  such  service 
or  labor,  but  shall  be  delivered  up  on  claim  of  the  party  to 
whom  such  service  or  labor  may  be  due.” 

This  law  was  a reef  in  the  Constitution, — a reef  on  which 
the  sections  were  destined  to  split  wider  apart.  Ro  other 
single  phase  of  legislation  wrought  more  hostility.  The  South 
demanded  its  constitutional  observance,  because  it  Avas  one 
of  the  compromises  upon  which  they  had  agreed  to  form  the 
Union.  The  Rorth  after  1835  persistently  refused  to  recog- 
nize the  provision  and  repeatedly  endeavored  to  thwart  its 
purpose. 

In  1787  ordinances  concerning  the  extension  of  slavery 
into  territories  north  and  west  of  the  Ohio  River  were  passed, 
forever  forbidding  slavery  there  except  as  a punishment  for 
crime;  but  prohibition  of  slavery  west  of  the  Mississippi 
River  had  not  been  provided  for.  In  March,  1818,  Mis- 


.16 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


souri  asked  for  admittance  into  the  Union;  but  no  action 
was  taken  until  December,  1818.  A bill  was  then  intro- 
duced to  make  a portion  of  Missouri  Territory  into  a new 
territory,  that  was  to  be  called  Arkansas.  The  northern 
boundary  of  the  new  territory  was  to  be  latitude  36°  30' 
north,  practically  an  extension  of  a line  from  the  mouth  of 
the  Ohio  River. 

In  Febrimry,  1819,  the  discussion  began  in  earnest  when 
an  amendment  for  the  admittance  of  the  territory  above  the 
stated  line  was  introduced  in  Congress.  This  amendment 
specified  that  further  introduction  of  slavery  would  be  pro- 
hibited and  that  all  children  of  slaves  bom  in  the  State  after 
it  had  been  admitted  should  be  free.  This  bill  was  defeated ; 
but  a bill  making  Arkansas  a new  territory  was  passed.  In 
January,  1820,  Maine  was  admitted  as  a free  State  and 
Missouri  as  a slave  State,  with  the  amendment  that  “ in  the 
territory  ceded  by  France  to  the  United  States  under  the 
name  of  Louisiana,  which  lies  north  of  36°  30',  however,  not 
in  Missouri,  slavery  shall  be  and  is  hereby  forever  pro- 
hibited.” 

For  ten  years  after  the  Missouri  Compromise  little  was 
heard  of  slavery ; but  antislavery  agitation  began  in  the  years 
of  the  nullification  controversy  of  1831-1838;  and  from  this 
time  continued  witlrmSTe~er4essviolence  until  the  Civil  War 
abolished  it.  ^^^ate  Rights  DoHriUe  ” was  not  always  ex- 
clusively a Southemfibelief,  -but-wfis  held  at  different  times 
in  other  States  of  the  Union.  It  was  held  by  Virginia  and 
Kentucky,  as  shown  in  the  Resolutions  of  1Y98,  which  were  a 
part  of  Jefferson’s  original  draft.  It  was  held  by  Kew  Eng- 
land Federalists  in  the  Hartford  Convention  of  December, 
1814,  and  January,  1815.  The  following  extract  emphasized 
their  opinion : 

“ In  cases  of  deliberate,  dangerous  and  palpable  infraction 
of  the  Constitution,  affecting  the  sovereignty  of  the  State  and 
liberty  of  the  people ; it  is  not  only  the  right  but  duty  of  such 


CAUSES  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAH  17 

a State  to  interpret  and  enforce  its  authority  for  its  protec- 
tion, etc.” 

The  iSiew  England  States  again  in  184:5,  at  the  time  of  the 
annexation  of  Texas,  brought  up  the  question  of  Nullification. 

The  Calhoun  and  South  Carolina  episode  of  1832  was  the 
most  prominent  incident  of  the  State  Rights  question  until 
the  secession  movement  of  the  Civil  War.  All  these  differ- 
ences arising  between  the  sections  produced  feelings  of  dis- 
like and  often  caused  a misinterpretation  of  each  other’s 
motives.  There  was  a scarcity  of  social  intercourse  between 
North  and  South,  for  the  social  conditions  of  the  two  sections 
differed  greatly. 

In  1860  a new  President  was  to  be  elected  to  govern  this 
vast  country.  The  Democratic  party  held  their  convention 
at  Charleston  in  April.  This  party  at  the  time  had  a ma- 
jority in  Congress.  The  Southern  Democrats  asked  for  a 
platform  that  provided  that  Congress  would  assume  protec- 
tion of  slavery  in  the  territories.  They  denounced  acts 
passed  to  defeat  the  execution  of  the  Fugitive  Slave  Laws, 
and  claimed  secession  rights  if  this  protection  were  not  given 
by  the  Federal  Government.  The  convention  adjourned 
without  an  agreement. 

The  Northern  Democrats  met  at  Baltimore  in  June,  1860, 
and  nominated  Douglas,  of  Illinois.  The  Southern  Demo- 
crats met  at  Richmond,  June  11,  1860,  and  nominated 
Breckinridge.  The  Whigs  nominated  Bell,  of  Tennessee. 
The  Republican  party  met  in  convention.  May  16,  at  Chi- 
cago, and  Mr.  Lincoln,  of  Illinois,  was  nominated.  The 
platform  declared  that  the  normal  condition  of  all  the  Terri- 
tories in  the  United  States  was  that  of  freedom  and  denied 
the  authority  of  Congress,  of  Territory  Legislature,  or  of  any 
individual  of  the  United  States  to  give  legal  existence  to 
slavery  in  any  territory.  It  also  refuted  the  validity  of  the 
Dred  Scott  decision  of  the  Supreme  Court.  High  protn&tivg' 
t^ariff  was  advocated. 


18 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


When  South  Carolina  became  certain  that  Lincoln  was 
elected  she  passed  measures  for  military  defense  and  a State 
convention  was  ordered  to  meet  December  17,  1860,  and  on 
December  20,  1860,  she  passed  ordinances  of  secession. 
Georgia  followed,  January  19,  1861;  and  before  March  six 
other  States  had  joined  South  Carolina.  The  “ Compro- 
mise ” suggested  by  Buchanan,  December  8,  1860,  in  his 
message  to  Congress,  consisted  of  the  adoption  of  an  amend- 
ment to  the  Constitution,  securing  slavery  in  the  States  where 
it  existed  as  well  as  in  the  Territories  and  compelling  the 
release  of  fugitive  slaves. 

“ Crittenden’s  Compromise  ” proposed  to  secure  the  fulfil- 
ment of  the  Missouri  Compromise  and  provided  that  each 
State  constitution  should  decide  the  question  of  slavery.  It 
furthermore  proposed  that  it  be  made  the  duty  of  Congress 
to  secure  the  return  of  fugitive  slaves  to  their  masters  or  pay 
the  value  to  the  claimant.  This  was  rejected  by  Congress, — 
March  2,  1861, — and  by  the  Eepuhlicans.  The  efforts  of 
the  Federal  Government  to  prevent  rupture  precipitated  war. 
Later  the  emancipation  of  slaves  became  a principle  of  the 
Eepublican  party. 

Political  conditions  prior  to  Sumter. — On  February  4, 
1861,  the  first  steps  were  taken  to  form  a Southern  Con- 
federacy. In  three  days  six  States  were  united  under  a pro- 
visional constitution,  which  was  in  substance  the  same  as  that 
of  the  United  States.  It  was  to  remain  in  force  for  one 
year,  unless  a permanent  one  should  be  provided  to  take  its 
place.  The  convention  made  itself  the  legislative  body  of 
the  government  and  elected  Jefferson  Davis  President  and 
Alexander  H.  Stephens  Vice-President.  The  capital  was  es- 
tablished temporarily  at  Montgomery,  Alabama. 

Mr.  Davis  was  perhaps  at  this  time  the  most  prominent 
man  in  the  Southern  States  and  was  elected  with  very  little 
opposition,  though  the  office  came  to  him  as  a surprise, 
having  been  unsought  by  him.  He  had  been  Secretary  of 


CAUSES  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


19 


War  and  had  seen  considerable  military  service  in  Indian 
■wars  and  in  the  Mexican  War,  where  his  gallantry  at  Buena 
Vista  saved  the  battle.  At  the  time  of  secession  he  was  serv- 
ing as  LTnited  States  Senator  from  the  State  of  Mississippi. 
Alexander  H.  Stephens,  the  elected  Vice-President,  although 
physically  weak  and  dwarfed,  was  a man  of  great  intellectual 
ability.  It  is  doubtful  whether  his  election  was  best  for  the 
South,  for  he  had  been  a Whig  in  political  faith  and  was  not 
in  full  sympathy  with  the  ideas  of  Secession  nor  in  favor  of 
a temporary,  strong,  centralized  government. 

Mr.  Davis  appointed  his  cabinet  Eebiniary  18,  1861,  and  in 
his  inaugural  address  he  expressed  the  hope,  but  not  the  ex- 
pectation, that  the  Confederacy  would  be  allowed  to  go  in 
peace.  He  declared  that  if  the  Government  at  Washington 
undertook  to  assert  jurisdiction  over  the  seceded  States,  the  act 
would  be  offensive  war. 

Major  Anderson  had  moved,  December  26,  1860,  with 
one  hundred  and  twenty-eight  men  from  the  shore  batteries 
in  Charleston  harbor  to  Fort  Sumter,  at  the  entrance  of  the 
harbor.  On  January  9,  1861,  efforts  were  made  by  the 

Star  of  the  West,”  sent  by  the  administration  at  Washing- 
ton, to  reinforce  the  garrison  at  Fort  Sumter  Avith  men  and 
ammunition;  but  she  returned  to  ISTew  York  without  reaching 
Fort  Sumter,  having  been  fired  on  by  the  batteries  from  Fort 
Moultrie  and  Fort  Morris,  South  Cai’olina. 

Preparations  before  Sumter. — When  Mr.  Lincoln  was 
inaugurated  March  4,  1861,  seven  States  had  seceded  from 
the  Union  and  a new  government  had  been  established.  Fort 
Moultrie,  Fort  Morris,  and  Castle  Pickney  were  occupied  Avith 
South  Carolina  troops.  Fort  Pulaski,  Savannah,  had  been 
taken,  and  every  fort  that  lay  within  its  limits  except  Fort 
Sumter  and  Fort  Pickens,  was  in  the  hands  of  the  new  Gov- 
ernment. Arsenals  at  Mount  Vernon,  Ala.,  with  20,000  small 
arms  had  been  taken.  The  Pensacola  navy  yards  were  also 
occupied.  The  Baton  Rouge  and  Little  Rock  arsenals  were 


20 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


appropriated,  and  the  Hew  Orleans  mint  and  custom  house 
had  been  seized. 

On  February  18,  1861,  General  Twiggs  surrendered  half 
of  the  arms  and  ammunition  of  war  to  the  Texas  military 
authority.  Mr.  Lincoln  determined  to  hold  possession  of 
Fort  Sumter;  and  April  8, *1861,  sent  a message  to  Governor 
Pickens  of  South  Carolina  by  Lieutenant  Talbot,  agent  of 
the  Federal  Government,  that  an  effort  would  be  made  to  pro- 
vision Fort  Sumter.  General  Beauregard,  the  officer  in 
charge  at  Charleston,  sent  a message  to  Montgomery,  April  8. 
An  answer  was  received,  April  10,  from  Montgomery  telling 
him  to  demand  the  surrender  of  the  fort  and  to  reduce  it,  if 
refused.  At  4 :30  a.  m.,  April  12,  the  Confederate  guns  began 
to  bombard  Fort  Sumter.  This  was  the  real  beginning  of  the 
Civil  War. 

On  April  12,  1861,  Virginia  passed  Resolutions  of  Seces- 
sion; Tennessee  (May  6),  Arkansas  (May  18),  and  Forth 
Carolina  (May  21),  followed  in  rapid  succession. 


CHAPTER  II 


MATERIAL  A:N'D  MILITARY  RESOURCES  OF  THE  NORTH  AND 
THOSE  OF  THEl  SOUTH,  1861 

The  total  population  of  the  United  States  in  1861  was 
31,1:43,321 ; and  the  assessed  valuation  of  real  and  personal 
property  was  $16,000,000,000.  There  were  31,000  miles  of 
railroad,  the  tonnage  of  which  each  year  was  36,000,000 
tons,  valued  at  $4,000,000,000.  The  railroads  themselves 
were  valued  at  $2,000,000,000. 

The_Em4h  Jiad_a  _popnlation  of  19,000,000;  of  these 
3,624,800  were  foreigners  and  500,000  negroes.  Thns^  the 
population  of  what  was  known  as  the  North  was  twice^Tlarge 
as  that  of  the  South.  The  North  had  20,000  mileUdf  rail- 
road,  thelrnn^ufactnres  were  fifty  times  as  great  as  those  of 
the  South.  They  had  99  mills  for  cotton  spinning  contain- 
ing 4,000,000  spindles.  The  Northern  maritime  industry 
was  enormous.  In  1861,  5,550,000  tons  were  carried  under 
the  American  flag  and  only  4,500,000  under  the  English. 
Three-fourths  of  our  exports  were  carried  under  the  Stars 
and  Stripes  and  most  of  these  in  vessels  owned  in  the  North- 
ern States.  There  were  many  cities  in  the  North  of  large 
population.  New  York  had  807,000  inhabitants,  while  Bos- 
ton, Cincinnati,  Buffalo,  Philadelphia,  Chicago  and  Newark 
were  all  great  cities,  ranging  in  population  from  100,000  to 
500,000,  and  having  unlimited  advantages  of  commerce  with 
the  outside  world. 

The  Southern  population.,  of  the  seceding,^  States  was 
9,10J>^Tir^ The  other  slave  States, — Missouri,  Kentucky, 
Maryland,  and  Delaware, — had  a population  of  3,134,961 


22 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


whites  and  negroes.  This  made  the  total  population  of  the 
South  12,238,202,  of  which  number  4,500,000  were  slaves. 
The  seceded  States  had  scarcely  5,500,000  white  people  within 
their  borders,  and  400,000  of  those  whites  were  foreign  born 
and  another  400,000  lived  in  West  Virginia.  The  Southern 
manufactured  products  amoiinted  to  $80,000,000  annually. 
The  South  had  eight  cotton  mills,  with  400,000  spindles,  and 
10,000  miles  of  railroad. 

nie  Southern  cities  could  not  be  compared  in  point  of 
wealth  and  size  to  the  ISTorthern  ones.  Baltimore,  St.  Louis, 
and  jSTew  Orleans  were  the  only  ones  that  had  over  100,000 
population,  and  only  the  last  mentioned  city  was  situated 
within  the  borders  of  the  Confederacy. 

The  South’s  exportation  of  cotton  was  its  greatest  source 
of  wealth.  In  1859  it  raised  4,600,000  bales  or  three-fourths 
of  the  cotton  supply  in  the  world.  The  Northern  manufac- 
turers made  use  of  1,500,000  bales,  and  England  of  practically 
the  whole  of  the  remainder.  The  South  made  six  bushels  of 
wheat  to  the  individual  and  the  Xorth  about  the  same  amount. 
The  South,  however,  had  a greater  supply  of  the  necessities 
of  life  per  capita,  such  as  live  stock,  oxen,  sheep,  and  swine. 
The  South  raised  fifty-one  bushels  of  Indian  corn  to  each 
person,  and  the  Yorth  twenty-eight  bushels.  Out  of  500,000 
flint-lock  muskets  the  ^uth  possessed  115,000,  and  the  North 
385,000.  The^^orth  had  7,302  rifles,  andThe  South  2,849. 
The  threS''gfealSt  causes  of  the  failure  of  the  Confederacy 
were  bad  management  of  governmental  affairs,  the  handicap 
from  a severe  blockade,  and  the  preponderant  resources  of  the 
North  and  East. 

The  military  population  of  the  North  was  4,600,000,  from 
which  there'wefe'endrgfedr in  thWfour  years  of  war  j^80,000 
men.  Two-thirds  were  American  born  and  180,000  were 
negroes.  The  military  population  of  the  South  was  1,065,- 
000.  The  total  number  of  enlistments  during  the  four  years 
has  been  reckoned  as  from  700,000  to  988,500,  95  per  cent. 


EESOUECES  OF  E^OETH  AND  SOUTH,  1861  23 

of  this  number  ■n'ere  native  bom  Americans  and  among  them 
vere  no  negroes.  ^ 

In  the  beginning  of  the  War  the  Northern  armies  and  the 
Southern  consisted  almost  entirely  of  volunteers;  but  after 
the  first  year  the  majority  of  Southern  soldiers  were  enlisted 
by  conscription^  CounHn^’fijy'tiTne^ef-enlTStment  the  North 
had  from  1^3l50,000  to  1,700,000  in  the  field,  opposed  to 
600,000  in  the  Southern  armies.  - 

Social  conditions  in  the  North  and  South. — We  must 
look  to  colonial  times  to  find  some  of  the  reasons  for  the 
marked  difference  between  the  people  of  the  North  and  those 
of  the  South.  There  was  never  any  great  degree  of  congeni- 
ality between  the  two  sections.  They  came  from  classes  of 
people  differing  both  in  religion  and  in  politics.  The 
colonists  of  Virginia,  the  Carolinas,  and  Maryland  were  in 
most  instances  descendants  of  the  cavaliers  of  Old  England, 
with  a strong  mixture  of  Scotch  and  Irish,  and  a scattering 
of  Erench  Huguenot  emigrants.  Their  religion  was  that  of 
the  Church  of  England,  Presbyterianism,  Catholicism,  and 
later  of  the  growing  Methodism.  Their  manners  were  polite, 
they  were  lovers  of  outdoor  sports,  held  to  the  feudal  life, 
were  aristocratic  in  tendency  and  proverbial  for  the  gra- 
ciousness of  their  hospitality. 

The  Northern  colonists  were  of  Puritan,  Quaker  and  Dutch 
parentage ; thrifty,  intolerant  of  differences  in  religious  opin- 
ions and  lacking  in  sentiment.  The  effect  of  slavery  on  the 
South  produced  a habit  of  command,  amounting  sometimes 
to  cruelty,  but  more  frequently  to  chivalry  and  gentleness 
toward  those  physically  weaker.  At  times  dissoluteness  was 
the  consequence  of  idleness  and  plenty,  but  more  frequently 
it  gave  the  Southerner  the  opportunity  to  cultivate  elegance 
of  taste  in  art  and  literature. 

The  South  had  many  astute  statesmen,  politicians,  and  re- 
nowned soldiers,  but  it  could  not  compare  in  numbers  with 
the  literary  lights  that  illuminated  the  North.  William  Gil- 


24 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


more  Sims,  a Charleston  novelist,  equalled  Fenimore  Cooper 
in  his  narratives  of  adventure.  Sidney  Lanier,  Edgar  Allan 
Poe,  and  Father  Ryan  are  poets  whose  fame  will  continue 
to  grow  with  the  generations.  In  the  Horth  were  many  names 
which  have  made  brilliant  the  history  of  American  literature. 
Wendell  Phillips  and  Henry  Ward  Beecher  were  orators  of 
international  fame.  Prescott,  Bancroft,  Motley,  Parkman  as 
historians  and  Emerson  as  an  essayist  were  writers  the  value 
of  whose  works  cannot  be  estimated;  Longfellow,  Lowell, 
Holmes  and  Bryant  were  poets  of  world-wide  fame,  while 
Horace  Greeley,  the  editor,  and  Nathaniel  Hawthorne,  the 
novelist,  wrote  with  great  power. 

The  Geography  of  the  Section  where  the  War  was 
waged. — In  order  to  form  a clear  and  comprehensive  idea 
of  this  great  epoch-making  event  an  intelligent  understand- 
ing should  be  had  of  the  extent  of  country  over  which  the 
war  was  waged.  The  extensive  seaboard,  the  rivers,  valleys, 
mountains,  and  main  lines  of  the  railroad  should  all  be  Care- 
fully studied,  and  the  character  of  the  country  in  which  the 
various  campaigns  were  conducted  ought  to  be  fully  under- 
stood. 

The  seaboard  of  the  Southern  States  extended  from  the 
Atlantic  coast  of  Virginia, — which  comprised  110  miles, — 
to  the  mouth  of  the  Rio  Grande  River.  There  were  twelve 
hundred  and  fifty  miles  along  the  Atlantic  coast  and  twenty- 
five  hundred  miles  along  the  Gulf  coast.  This  enormous 
coast  line  was  indented  with  many  harbors,  bays,  sounds, 
mouths  of  great  rivers  and  studded  with  numerous  islands, 
the  blockading  of  which  afforded  one  of  the  most  difficult 
features  of  the  war.  Its  accomplishment  did  as  much  or 
more  than  any  one  thing  to  bankrupt  and  defeat  the  South. 
The  area  of  the  seceding  States  was  725,605  sq.  miles  and 
the  area  of  Maryland,  Missouri  and  Kentucky  was  122,025 
sq.  miles,  making  almost  900,000  sq.  miles  of  territory  over 


I 


PRINCIPAL  RAILROADS  AND  RIVERS  OF  THE  SOUTH  IN  1861 


EESOUHCES  OF  E^OETH  AND  SOUTH,  18G1  25 

whicli  the  war  was  to  be  waged.  The  magnitude  of  the 
Civil  War  was  the  greatest  the  world  had  ever  seen. 

This  great  area  is  intersected  by  mighty  rivers  and  many 
mountain  ranges.  The  great  Atlantic  Coast  Plain  of  Vir- 
ginia merges  into  the  Gulf  Coast  Plain  and  the  Missis- 
sippi Valley.  The  Appalachian  mountain  system  is  divided 
into  several  distinct  ranges,  which  are  separated  by  narrow 
valleys  that  run  in  most  instances  parallel  with  the  Missis- 
sippi Valley.  This  great  valley  is  drained  by  the  Mississippi 
Eiver, — a river  of  larger  volume  than  any  other  in  jSTorth 
America,  and  the  longest  in  the  world. 

The  principal  rivers  of  the  eastern  coast  of  Virginia  are 
the  Potomac,  Eappahannock,  York,  and  James,  along  the 
borders  of  which  were  fought  many  of  the  most  important 
battles  of  the  war.  Other  important  rivers  that  flow  into 
the  Atlantic  are  the  Cape  Eear,  Eoanoke,  Heuse,  Santee,  and 
Savannah, — each  of  which  played  a prominent  part  in  the 
war. 

The  principal  rivers  of  the  Gulf  Coast  are  the  Apalachi- 
cola and  the  Alabama  and  Tombigbee,  flowing  into  the  Mo- 
bile Bay.  The  great  Mississippi  Eiver  enters  the  Gulf  one 
hundred  miles  below  Yew  Orleans,  its  principal  tributaries 
are  the  Eed, — whose  mouth  is  one  hundred  and  sixty-six 
miles  south  of  Vicksburg, — the  Black,  only  a few  miles  below 
Vicksburg, — and  the  Yazoo,  a few  miles  above.  The  main 
tributaries  of  the  Yazoo  are  the  Sunflower,  Yallabusha 
and  Tallahatchie.  The  mouth  of  the  Arkansas  is  about  half- 
way between  Vicksburg  and  Memphis.  At  Cairo,  111.,- — • 
two  hnndred  and  thirty  miles  north  of  Memphis, — is  the 
mouth  of  the  Ohio,  which  is  one  of  the  gTeatest  rivers  of  the 
United  States  and  was  the  boundary  line  between  the  slave 
States  and  the  free.  Thirty-five  miles  up  from  its  mouth  is 
the  mouth  of  the  Tennessee,  where  the  City  of  Paducah  is 
situated.  The  Tennessee  Eiver  is  a large  and  navigable 


26 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAK 


stream,  flowing  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles  due  north  from 
Riverton,  Ala.,  to  which  point  large  steamboats  can  go  through- 
out the  year,  and,  after  passing  the  shoals  above  this  place, 
the  river  is  navigable  far  above  Chattanooga  for  light-draught 
vessels.  This  river  extended  into  the  very  heart  of  the 
Southern  Confederacy,  therefore  it  was  of  the  greatest  impor- 
tance that  it  should  be  securely  fortified  and  held.  Twelve 
miles  above  Paducah,  at  Smithland,  Ky.,  the  Ciunherland 
River  flows  into  the  Ohio.  This  is  a navigable  stream  for 
medium-size  vessels  as  far  as  Yashville,  Tenn.,  a distance  of 
about  two  hundred  miles.  These  rivers  afforded  the  best 
means  for  the  transportation  of  large  armies.  Thus  the  Mis- 
sissippi River  was  a great  line  that  separated  the  eastern  sec- 
tion of  the  Confederacy  from  the  western ; and  nothing  was 
more  important  than  that  the  connection  and  thorough  inter- 
course between  these  two  sections  should  not  be  interrupted. 

The  Appalachian  mountain  system, — extending  through 
the  western  part  of  Virginia,  North  Carolina,  north-western 
South  Carolina,  eastern  Kentucky  and  Tennessee  to  north- 
ern Georgia  and  Alabama, — divided  that  portion  of  the  Con- 
federacy east  of  the  Mississippi  River  into  two  parts,  in  which 
most  of  the  great  campaigns  of  the  war  were  fought. 

Railroad  and  River  Systems. — The  railroad  systems 
which  in  the  years  preceding  the  war  had  developed  so  rapidly, 
played  a very  prominent  part  in  the  drama  of  war  by  facilitat- 
ing the  movements  of  the  armies  and  carrying  supplies. 
There  were  now  ten  thousand  miles  of  railroad  in  the  South. 
The  most  important  in  the  East  was  the  Baltimore  & Ohio 
Railroad,  extending  from  Baltimore  and  Washington  to  Har- 
per’s Ferry,  Graf  ten,  W.  Va.,  Parkersburg  and  Cincinnati. 

The  Orange  & Alexandria  Railroad,  joined  at  Manassas 
Junction  by  the  Manassas  Gap  Railroad, — extended  through 
a gap  of  the  Blue  Ridge  to  Front  Royal  on  the  South  Fork 
of  the  Shenandoah,  and  to  Strasburg  on  the  North  Fork,  and 


EESOmCES  OE  E^OETH  AND  SOUTH,  1861  27 

thence  to  Mount  Jackson.  Erom  Alexandria  a small  rail- 
road extended  to  Leesburg  near  the  Potomac  Eiver. 

The  Virginia  Central  Eailroad  extended  from  Eichmond 
by  Hanover  Junction  to  Gordonsville,  Charlottesville,  and 
Staunton  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley. 

The  Eichmond  & Fredericksburg  Eailroad  passed  through 
Hanover  Junction  to  Fredericksburg  on  the  Eappahannock, 
and  thence  to  Acquia  Creek  on  the  Potomac. 

The  Eichmond  & Danville  Eailroad  extended  from  York 
Eiver  Estuary  across  the  Chickahominy  Eiver  at  Bottom 
Bridge  to  Eichmond,  thence  to  Appomattox  Station  on  the 
Appomattox  Eiver,  and  from  there  to  Amelia  Court  House, 
Burkeville  Junction,  Farmersville  on  the  Appomattox,  then 
passed  iVmelia  Court  House  on  its  way  to  Lynchburg  on  the 
James  Eiver. 

The  Wilmington  & Weldon  Eailroad  was  one  of  the  most 
important  of  the  lines  running  into  Eichmond ; and  it  was 
by  this  route  that  much  of  the  supplies  were  brought  to  the 
armies.  It  extended  from  Eichmond,  by  way  of  Petersburg 
and  Weldon,  through  Horth  Carolina  to  Wilmington. 

The  Yorfolk  & Western  Eailroad  extended  from  Harper’s 
Ferry  and  Avas  joined  at  Eoanoke  with  a railroad  from  Nor- 
folk, Petersburg,  and  Lynchburg,  where  it  continued  by  way 
of  Bristol  to  Knoxville  and  Chattanooga.  This  road  afforded 
a rapid  connection  between  the  eastern  armies  of  the  Con- 
federacy and  the  armies  of  the  Mississippi  Valley. 

The  Louisville  & Kashville  Eailroad  extended  from  Louis- 
ville, Ky.,  by  Bowling  Green  and  Paris,  Tenn.,  to  Memphis, 
also, — by  way  of  Bowling  Green,  to  Kashville,  Franklin,  and 
Spring  Hill, — to  Huntsville,  Ala.  It  had  also  a branch 
road  to  Bardstovm  and  Lebanon,  Ky. 

The  Mobile  & Ohio  Eailroad  extended  from  Cairo,  111.,  to 
Union  City  and  Jackson,  Tenn.,  thence  to  Corinth,  Tupelo, 
Meridian,  Miss.,  and  Mobile,  Ala. 


28 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


The  Illinois  Central  Railroad  extended,  by  way  of  Fulton, 
Ivy.,  to  Jackson,  Tenn.,  and  by  Holly  Springs,  and  Grenada, 
Miss.,  to  Hew  Orleans;  and  another  road  ran  from  Memphis 
to  Grenada. 

The  Memphis  & Charleston  Railroad  was  a great  thorough- 
fare and  strategic  line.  It  ran  from  Memphis  by  way  of 
Corinth,  Miss.,  Bridgeport,  Ala.,  thence  to  Chattanooga, 
Rome,  Marietta,  and  Atlanta,  and  thence  to  Augusta,  Ga., 
and  on  to  Charleston,  S.  C.  It  also  extended  to  Jonesboro, 
Macon,  and  Savannah,  Ga. 

There  was  an  important  railroad  from  Atlanta  by  Mont- 
gomery and  Selma,  Ala.,  and  Jackson,  Miss.,  to  Vicksburg 
and  Shreveport,  La. 

The  ISTashville  & Chattanooga  Railroad  extended  from 
Johnsville  on  the  Tennessee  River  to  Hashville,  Murfreesboro, 
Tullahoma,  Bridgeport,  and  Chattanooga. 

A railroad  ran  from  Cincinnati  to  Lexington  and  Hicholas- 
ville,  Ky.,  and  another  one  from  Louisville  to  Frankfort  and 
Lexington,  Ivy. 

These  comprised  the  important  lines  of  railroad  at  this 
time  in  the  region  over  which  the  Civil  War  was  waged. 


CHAPTER  III 


LEADIKO  EVENTS  FROM  FORT  SUMTER  TO  RULE  RUN 

Bombardment  of  Fort  Sumter. — At  2 a.  m.,  April  11, 
1861,  General  Beauregard  sent  two  aides, — Colonel  Chestnut 
and  Captain  Lee, — to  Major  Anderson  demanding  the  evacu- 
ation of  Fort  Sumter.  Anderson  immediately  sent  his  reply 
refusing  to  do  so ; and  at  the  same  time  that  General  Beaure- 
gard received  this  answer,  instructions  came  from  Montgom- 
ery not  to  bombard  Fort  Sumter,  if  Anderson  would  set  a 
time  for  evacuation. 

A satisfactory  answer  not  having  been  given  at  3 a.  m., 
April  12,  General  Beauregard  notified  Major  Anderson  that 
he  would  open  fire  on  his  batteries  in  an  hour.  At  half  past 
four  in  the  early  morning  of  the  12th  of  April,  1861,  the 
Confederate  batteries  of  Fort  Johnson  and  Fort  Moultrie 
began  to  send  their  shells  toward  Fort  Sumter.  By  1:30 
p.  m.  the  garrison  at  Sumter,  being  forced  to  surrender  or  be 
killed,  were  allowed  to  withdraw  and  to  keep  possession  of 
individual  property  after  saluting  the  Union  fiag. 

The  apparently  inevitable  armed  conflict  had  now  begun; 
the  battles  of  the  forum  had  been  changed  to  those  of  the  field. 
The  carnage  of  war  raged  and  called  forth  the  bravery  of  men 
and  women  to  heroic  deeds.  There  was  suffering  and  grief, 
slaughter  and  death.  The  conflict  was  waged  until  the  weaker 
numbers  were  forced  to  surrender  from  sheer  exhaustion 
to  the  stronger.  The  records  of  the  battling  armies  be- 
came history,  the  old  order  of  things  was  blotted  out  in  the 
South,  to  be  followed  by  the  fearful  aftermath  of  the  horrible 
Reconstruction  period, — more  terrible,  if  possible,  than  war 

29 


30 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


itself.  In  the  Horth  and  in  the  South  there  was  great  excite- 
ment, and  both  sections  became  active  and  alert. 

Preparation  in  the  North.—  Mr.  Lincoln  on  April  15, 
1861,  before  he  had  received  the  official  report  of  Major  An- 
derson, issued  a call  for  75,000  volunteers,  in  order  to  sup- 
press a combination  too  powerful  to  be  controlled  bj  the 
ordinary  course  of  judicial  proceedings. 

The  gates  of  war  were  flung  wide  open,  no  more  compro- 
mises could  be  made  except  by  armed  force.  The  North  and 
South  were  thrilled  with  passion  and  hate.  Neither  had  any 
conception  of  the  terrible  magnitude  of  the  crisis  before  them, 
nor  judged  aright  the  tenacity  and  determination  of  the  other. 
The  great  sections  were  now  definitely  arrayed  against  each 
other ; States  and  individuals  taking  sides.  The  Northerners 
considered  that  the  national  flag  had  been  insulted,  and 
they  united  upon  the  ground  of  the  preseiwation  of  the  Union. 
Southerners  thought  the  war  had  been  forced  upon  them  and 
responded,  with  even  greater  unanimity  than  did  the  North, 
to  the  call  for  volunteers.  They  felt  that  they  were  repelling 
the  efforts  of  the  Federal  Government  to  take  away  their  State 
Eights  and  coerce  them  into  the  doctrines  of  Non-secession 
Eepublicanism  of  the  newly  elected  President. 

States  refuse  volunteers  to  Lincoln’s  call. — Important 
events  now  followed  in  rapid  succession.  The  governors  of 
Kentucky,  North  Carolina,  Virginia,  Tennessee,  Missouri, 
and  Arkansas  refused  absolutely  to  send  volunteers  at  Lin- 
coln’s call  for  troops ; neither  did  the  governor  of  Dela- 
ware nor  the  governor  of  Maryland  obey  the  summons.  On 
April  17,  1861,  the  convention  in  session  at  Eichmond 
passed  ordinances  of  secession,  but  no  vote  was  taken  until 
May  23.  The  Virginians  on  April  18  seized  Harper’s  Ferry 
and  captured  5000  improved  muskets,  3000  unfinished  small 
arms  and,  by  extinguishing  the  fire  started  by  the  retiring 
Federals,  saved  some  very  valuable  machinery  used  in  the 
making  of  rifles  and  muskets. 


FEOM  FOET  SUMTEE  TO  BULL  EUIT  31 


On  April  19  tlie  Federals  endeavored  to  destroy  the  E^avy 
Yard  at  Gosport,  and  also  sent  reinforcements  to  Fortress 
Monroe.  The  dry  docks  of  the  Yavy  Yard  were  damaged; 
hnt  on  April  20  General  Taliaferro,  in  command  of  the  Con- 
federates, seized  several  million  dollars’  worth  of  military 
and  naval  stores,  with  cannons,  gnns,  and  the  2600  ton 
frigate  Merrimac,  fully  equipped  and  ready  for  sea. 

Riots  in  Baltimore,  April  16,  1861. — Lincoln  had  or- 
dered troops  to  Washington  for  the  protection  of  the  capital, 
and  a few  hundred  had  passed  through  Maryland  and  had 
reached  Washington  without  trouble.  On  April  16  the  Sixth 
Massachusetts,  uniformed  and  armed,  endeavored  to  pass 
through  Baltimore  to  Washington.  While  seven  companies 
were  being  drawn  on  the  horse-cars  from  the  jSTorthern  station 
toward  Camden  station,  the  tracks  became  obstructed,  which 
forced  the  soldiers  to  walk.  A mob  now  rapidly  gathered, 
some  stones  were  thrown,  and  a riot  was  started  in  which 
four  soldiers  were  killed  and  several  worinded,  while  a 
dozen  or  more  citizens  were  also  killed  and  several  were 
injured.  The  Massachusetts  regiment  reached  Y^ashinglon 
in  the  afternoon;  and  Avith  the  Pennsylvania  troops  already 
there,  city  volunteers,  and  six  companies  of  regulars,  Gen. 
Winfield  Scott  endeavored  to  secure  the  capital  against  sur- 
prise. The  bridges  over  the  Susquehanna  Avere  destroyed, 
which  forced  the  troops  to  be  sent  by  transport  to  Annapolis. 

The  Maryland  legislature  had  passed  resolutions  formally 
protesting  against  the  Federal  occupancy  of  the  State  and 
expressing  sympathy  for  the  South ; but  Avithin  a month  after 
the  riot  at  Baltimore  the  State  of  Maryland  was  firmly  sub- 
jected to  Federal  discipline  and  dutifully  raised  her  quota 
of  Union  volunteers.  It  was  the  policy  of  the  Government 
at  Washington  at  first  to  belittle  abroad  and  at  home  the 
gravity  of  the  crisis. 

Further  Secession  movements. — On  the  20th  of  April, 
1861,  Governor  Ellis  of  Yorth  Carolina,  by  the  advice  of  a 


32 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


convention  of  disimionists  assembled  at  Kaleigb,  seized  the 
United  States  mint  at  Charlotte,  and  on  the  22d  the  arsenal 
at  Fayetteville.  Because  of  these  acts  on  April  27  President 
Lincoln  extended  the  blockade  to  the  shore  of  Virginia  and 
ISTorth  Carolina;  and  on  the  20th  of  May  the  Legislature  of 
ISTorth  Carolina  passed  ordinances  of  secession. 

Upon  the  fall  of  Sumter  Arkansas  gathered  a convention 
that  on  May  6,  with  one  voice  only  against  the  resolution 
passed  an  ordinance  of  secession. 

Tennessee  soon  after  the  surrender  of  Sumter  began  move- 
ments toward  joining  the  Confederacy.  The  legislature, 
assembled  at  Hashville,  authorized  Governor  Harris  to  appoint 
a commission  to  negotiate  with  the  newly  established  govern- 
ment at  Montgomery  with  regard  to  a military  alliance. 
This  was  agreed  upon  on  May  7,  and  on  May  8 secession 
ordinances  passes  the  legislature, — ordinances  that  were  to  be 
submitted  to  the  vote  of  the  people.  On  June  8 Mr.  John 
Bell,  who  was  the  leading  Unionist  of  the  State,  practically 
surrendered  his  leadership  of  his  cause  in  the  South,  without 
making  any  strong  effort  to  thwart  the  secession  movement. 
A few  unionist  leaders,  like  Johnson  and  Brownlow,  tem- 
porarily left  the  State. 

Border  slave  States. — ■ Maryland  had  strong  sympathy 
for  the  Confederacy  and  her  sister  Southern  States,  but  by 
the  middle  of  May  had  submitted  to  the  power  of  the  Federal 
Government.  Delaware  never  made  any  effort  to  secede,  but, 
without  resistance,  joined  the  Horth. 

Missouri’s  governor,  Claiborne  F.  Jackson,  and  the  legis- 
lature of  that  State  were  in  favor  at  first  of  joining  the  Con- 
federacy. The  legislature  on  January  16  issued  a call  con- 
vention for  the  purpose  of  passing  ordinances  of  secession, 
but  on  assembling  (February  28)  the  sentiment  of  the  con- 
vention proved  to  be  opposed  to  seceding  from  the  Union. 
After  Sumter  it  was  long  doubtful  which  side  would  win  the 
State.  The  old  native  population  was  in  favor  of  joining  the 


FEOM  FORT  SUMTER  TO  BULL  RUU  33 


Confederacy,  but  the  more  recent  German  population  was 
opposed  to  it.  Francis  P.  Blair,  Jr.,  brotlier  of  Lincoln’s 
Postmaster  General,  and  Uathaniel  Lyon,  commander  of  the 
arsenal  at  St.  Louis,  prevented  Governor  Jackson  from  cap- 
turing the  arsenal  and  thwarted  the  Secessionists’  plans  by 
taking  Camp  Jackson,  May  9,  1861.  Governor  Jackson, 
General  Frost,  and  General  Price  hastened  now  to  Jetferson 
City  to  prepare  to  resist  the  Federal  authority  in  Missouri. 
On  June  11  a conference  was  held  at  the  Planter’s  Hotel, 
St.  Louis,  between  Jackson,  Price,  Lyon,  and  Blair.  The 
conference  came  to  naught. 

On  June  15  Lyon,  who  had  followed  Jackson  with  a 
strong  force  up  the  Missouri  River,  took  possession  of  Jeffer- 
son City,  the  capital  of  the  State,  and  placed  it  in  the  hands  of 
the  regular  army.  On  July  22  the  convention,  which  had 
assembled  on  February  28,  was  summoned  and  it  formally 
repudiated  secession  movements. 

Kentucky’s  position  geographically  was  very  valuable  from 
a strategic  standpoint.  After  Sumter  the  majority  of  the 
people  of  the  State  preferred  to  remain  neutral,  but  it  might 
have  been  seen  that  this  was  an  impossibility.  Gov.  Beriah 
Magoffin  and  the  legislature  were  all  Breckinridge  Democrats 
and  were  opposed  to  the  Federal  as  well  as  to  the  Confeder- 
ate troops  entering  the  borders  of  the  State.  Early  in  May, 
William  Kelson,  a young  Kentuckian  who  was  in  the  Ka\"v% 
was  sent  by  Lincoln  into  the  State  to  organize  the  Unionists  in 
the  central  part  of  Kentucky.  Major  Anderson  was  in  charge 
at  Cincinnati. 

The  sympathy  of  Governor  Magoffin  was  with  the  Confed- 
eracy, and  he  recommended  that  a convention  be  called  to 
settle  the  issue.  But  the  legislature  now  refused  to  call  a 
convention  and  passed  a law  requiring  an  oath  of  allegiance 
to  the  LLiion  to  be  taken  by  all  the  State  guards ; at  the 
same  time  setting  forth  that  the  State  would  hold  a neutral 
position.  This  action  was  very  contradictory. 


34 


HISTOKY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


By  the  1st  of  June  it  was  evident  that  this  farcical  neutral 
ground  could  not  be  maintained.  The  Congressional  election 
for  the  special  session  of  Congress  (July  4)  showed  nine  for 
the  Union  and  one  against  it, — an  expression  that  was 
brought  about  to  a great  extent  by  military  influence  and  one 
which  also  determined  Kentucky’s  attitude  toward  the  ordi- 
nance of  seceding. 

Preparation  made  by  the  Confederates  for  defense, 
preceding  the  bombardment  of  Sumter  and  afterward. 

— Two  days  after  Mr.  Lincoln’s  inauguration  the  Confederate 
Congress  at  Montgomery  authorized  the  raising  of  a military 
force  of  100,000  men.  A commission  was  sent  to  Washing- 
ton to  negotiate  a peace  settlement  of  their  differences  with 
the  Union,  but  without  success. 

At  the  opening  of  the  war  there  Avas  in  the  South  about 
$50,000,000  in  gold  and  $50,000,000  in  paper  currency. 
Two  days  after  Mr.  Lincoln’s  call  for  troops  a loan  Avas  ad- 
vertised at  Montgomery  for  $5,000,000 ; $8,000,000  Avas  sub- 
scribed. 

The  three  leading  flnancial  measures  that  now  followed 
were : 

First.  The  Confederate  Government  issued  a $15,000,000 
loan  at  8 per  cent.,  payable  in  specie  or  export  duty  at  one- 
eighth  of  a cent  per  pound  of  cotton  levied. 

Second.  A negotiation  of  heavy  loans  was  made  from  most 
of  the  banks  in  discount  on  notes  draAvn  by  the  Secretary  of 
the  Treasury,  and  further  loans  were  made  on  bonds  ranging 
from  $1  to  $500,  to  expire  at  long  dates  and  at  stated  inter- 
vals. By  this  means  treasury  notes  Avere  put  in  circulation. 

Third.  Cotton  bonds  were  used  by  the  Confederacy  both 
at  home  and  abroad. 

The  progressive  depreciation  of  the  value  of  Confederate 
money  was  A^ery  perceptible  after  1861.  In  January,  1862, 
$1  in  gold  was  worth  $1.20  in  currency;  in  January,  1863, 


FEOM  FORT  SUMTER  TO  BULL  RUN  35 


$1  in  gold  was  worth  $3  in  currency;  in  the  midsummer  of 
1863,  $1  in  gold  was  worth  $12  in  currency;  and  this  decline 
continued  proportionally  until  the  end  of  the  war.  A great 
cause  of  disaster  to  the  Confederacy  was  the  effect  of  the 
blockade,  which  prevented  the  exportation  of  cotton, — the 
greatest  source  of  income  to  the  South. 

At  first  voluntary  enlistments  were  depended  upon  in  the 
Uorth  and  South,  but  toward  the  end  of  1861  conscript  en- 
forcement in  the  South  began.  At  first  the  basis  of  age  was 
from  18  to  35  years;  but  later  -15  years  became  the  limit  of 
enforcement. 

Regular  exchange  of  prisoners  was  initiated  in  the  winter 
of  1861—1862.  By  the  close  of  April,  the  Confederacy  had 
40,000  men  under  arms  and  10,000  on  the  way  to  northern 
Virginia.  The  Confederate  capital  was  changed  from  Mont- 
gomery to  Richmond  on  the  20th  of  May,  1861. 

Preparations  and  finances  of  the  North. — At  the  begin- 
ning of  the  war  the  Federal  finances  were  in  an  embarrassing 
condition.  Obligations  were  satisfied  by  loans  at  a high  rate 
of  interest.  The  State  and  municipal  governments  felt  the 
strain,  and  the  financial  institutions  of  the  l^orth  suffered. 
By  the  close  of  the  year  1861  all  banks  stopped  specie  pay- 
ment. An  increase  of  duties  on  imports  was  the  principal 
way  of  raising  revenue,  and  it  was  resorted  to  by  Congress. 
In  February,  1862,  Congress  issued  $150,000,000  in  paper 
certificates  and  made  them  legal  tender  in  payment  of  debts. 
By  the  end  of  1863  this  issue  was  increased  to  $450,000,000. 
The  issuing  of  bonds  at  a high  rate  of  interest  to  be  paid  in 
the  Government’s  depreciated  currency  was  frequently  re- 
sorted to.  In  1864  gold  was  at  285  per  cent.,  and  the  debts 
incurred  by  the  Government  were  $3,000,000,000. 

In  1863  an  internal  revenue  act  was  passed  imposing  an  ad 
valorem  tax  on  coal,  paper,  oil,  iron,  and  countless  manu- 
factured articles  not  here  mentioned.  Licenses  on  profes- 


36 


HISTOKY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


sional  occupations  and  income  taxes  on  the  gross  receipts  of 
steamboats,  railroads  and  express  companies  were  assessed 
and  collected. 

In  1863  the  present  sj^stem  of  Rational  Banking  was  insti- 
tuted to  make  a market  for  the  sale  of  United  States  Bonds. 

Theater  of  War  in  the  East. — The  low  flat  country 
of  the  Atlantic  coast  line  of  Virginia  extends  inward 
from  the  shore  from  150  to  200  miles  westward,  with  a 
gradual  increasing  elevation  until  it  reaches  the  Blue  Ridge 
Mountains, — the  rampart  range  of  the  Appalachian  system. 
This  coast  plain  is  bordered  on  the  north  by  the  Potomac 
River.  Traveling  south  one  crosses  numerous  other  streams, 
all  flowing  in  an  easterly  direction  from  the  Blue  Ridge. 
The  first  river  of  importance  to  be  crossed  is  the  Rappalaan- 
nock.  Its  main  tributary,  the  Rapidan,  joins  it  from  the 
southwest.  South  of  the  rivers  near  their  junction  is  the 
region  known  as  the  Wilderness,  with  several  hamlets  located 
therein,  such  as  Spottsylvania  and  Chancellorsville,  while 
further  down  the  stream  is  Fredericksburg,  not  many  miles 
from  the  Potomac. 

The  next  river  is  the  York, — made  by  the  junction  of  the 
Mattapony  and  the  Pamunkey, — which  flows  into  the  Chesa- 
peake Bay  at  Yorktown.  The  Chickahominy,  lying  south  of 
the  York,  is  one  of  its  tributaries  that  flows  into  the  James 
near  Williamsburg;  and  further  south  is  the  James,  upon 
which  Richmond  lies. 

The  Appomattox  River,  lying  south  of  the  James,  flows 
into  it  near  Petersburg  at  City  Point. 

The  Blue  Ridge  Mountains  are  separated  from  the  rest  of 
the  Alleghany  by  the  Shenandoah  River  for  150  miles  of  its 
course  northward.  The  northern  section  of  the  valley  is 
divided  into  two  parts  by  a mountain  range  situated  between 
the  Rorth  and  South  forks  of  the  Shenandoah ; thus  making 
it  easy  for  an  enemy  to  play  hide-and-seek  and  come  out  of  the 
valley  on  the  eastern  slope  with  his  opponent  on  the  west. 


FROM  FORT  SUMTER  TO  BULL  RUN  37 


The  Shenandoah  River  flows  into  the  Potomac  at  Harper’s 
Ferry,  which  town  could  only  be  defended  from  the  heights 
that  surround  it. 

Early  military  operations  in  West  Virginia.— West 
Virginia  was  that  j)art  of  Old  Virginia  west  of  the  Alleghany 
Mountains  and  southeast  of  the  Ohio  River.  The  people  in 
that  section  had  possessed  few  slaves  and  were  more  in  sym- 
pathy with  the  non-slaveholding  States. 

After  the  ordinance  of  secession  was  passed  in  Virginia 
representatives  of  thirty-five  counties  assembled  in  convention 
at  Wheeling  on  the  13th  of  May  and  sought  assistance  from 
President  Lincoln  and  also  from  Gen.  George  B.  McClellan, 
commander-in-chief  of  the  Ohio  militia.  Governor  Letcher  of 
Virginia,  hearing  of  these  movements,  sent  some  militia  under 
Col.  G.  A.  Porterfield  to  Beverly, — a village  protected  on  the 
north  by  the  rugged  Rich  and  Laurel  Mountains.  Soon  after 
reaching  Beverly,  he  advanced  toward  Grafton  on  the  Monon- 
gahela  River,  at  the  point  where  the  Baltimore  & Ohio  Rail- 
road branched  to  Wheeling. 

The  convention  at  Wheeling,  West  Virginia,  adjourned 
to  be  assembled  on  June  11.  In  the  meantime  General 
McClellan  occupied  Wheeling  and  Parkersburg  (May  27). 
On  May  30  he  advanced  to  Grafton.  Porterfield  now  retired 
to  Philippi  about  17  miles  to  the  south.  By  the  1st  of  J une 
7,000  men,  under  General  Morris,  were  collected  at  Grafton ; 
and  they  then  advanced  on  Philippi  to  attack  Porterfield, 
whose  body  of  800  men  were  scattered  and  forced  to  flee,  to 
later  join  a Confederate  command  just  south  of  Beverly  at 
Huttonsville.  President  Davis  sent  General  H.  A.  Wise  to 
help  Porterfield  and  while  the  Confederate  forces  were  being 
reorganized  in  Beverly  T.  H.  Pierpont  was  elected  governor 
at  Wheeling  by  the  representatives  of  40  counties  (June  11). 

General  McClellan  arrived  at  Grafton  June  23,  and  in  ten 
days  had  collected  30,000  men.  Garnett,  the  Confederate 
general,  had  about  5,000  men  at  Beverly.  Toward  the  last  of 


38 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


June  lie  sent  troops  under  Colonel  John  Pegram  to  the  pass 
in  Rich  Mountain,  between  Beverly  and  Buchanan;  and  in 
person  lead  a detachment  to  the  Laurel  Mountains,  between 
Beverly  and  Philippi,  leaving  at  the  same  time  troops  at 
Beverly  to  cover  his  rear.  On  July  11  Eosecrans  attacked 
Pegram  with  a large  force  at  Rich  Mountain,  and  over- 
powered him.  General  Morris  at  the  same  time  moved 
against  Garnett,  who,  having  heard  of  the  defeat  of  Pegram 
at  Rich  Mountain,  retreated  toward  Beverly,  but  was  cut  off 
and  forced  to  flee  northeast.  On  July  13  he  was  overtaken 
by  Morris  at  Garrick’s  Ford  on  the  Cheat  River.  The  forces 
of  Garnett  were  scattered,  and  the  gallant  leader  was  killed. 

Result ; The  Union  losses  were  12  killed  and  40  wounded 
in  these  engagements.  The  Confederates  lost  1000  prisoners 
and  100  killed.  This  campaign  compared  with  later  ones  was 
on  a small  scale,  but  it  was  very  important  to  the  Unionists, 
for  it  saved  them  West  Virginia. 


CHAPTER  IV 


OLD  VIRGINIA 

On  April  22,  five  days  after  the  ordinance  of  secession  was 
passed,  Governor  Letcher  chose  Gen.  R.  E.  Lee  as  com- 
mander-in-chief of  the  Virginia  militia,  an  office  that  Lee 
accepted,  expressing  to  General  Scott  this  sentiment:  “ Save 
in  defense  of  my  native  State  I never  desire  again  to  draw  my 
sword.”  Lee  assumed  command  April  23  and  issued  an 
order  forbidding  an  attack  on  Washington.  He  furthermore 
ordered  the  army  to  act  on  the  defensive,  by  collecting  men 
and  provisions  along  the  southern  line  of  the  Potomac. 

May  6,  after  Virginia’s  admission  into  the  Confederacy, 
Lee  became  a brigadier-general  while  Beauregard  and  J.  E. 
Johnston  were  chief  in  command. 

In  the  early  part  of  May  the  governor  of  Pennsylvania  ap- 
pointed Robert  Patterson  commander  of  the  State  troops 
which  were  being  collected  at  Harrisburg  and  Philadelphia  to 
oppose  the  gathering  armies  of  the  Confederacy.  Slowly  the 
two  great  powers  were  gathering  their  strength,  to  be  hurled 
time  and  again  at  each  other’s  throats. 

The  Confederate  armies  were  placed  under  Joseph  E. 
Johnston  at  Harper’s  Ferry,  where  he  assumed  command  May 
23,  1861.  Here  he  found  Gen.  Stonewall  Jackson  in  com- 
mand. The  Federal  armies  were  under  General  Scott,  whose 
chief  general  in  the  field  was  Gen.  Irwin  McDowell,  who 
had  crossed  to  Alexandria  on  May  2-1  with  45,000  men,  and 
had  established  fortifications  in  a half  circle  from  above 
Georgetown  to  the  mouth  of  Hunting  Creek,  in  order  to  pro- 
tect Washington.  Early  in  June  General  Beauregard,  Presi- 

39 


40 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


dent  Davis,  and  General  Lee  at  Richmond  and  Gen.  J.  E. 
Johnston,  who  had  9,000  men  at  Harper’s  Ferry  planned  the 
Bnll  Run  defensive  campaign  in  northern  Virginia  and  the 
Shenandoah  Valley. 

General  Beauregard  was  to  concentrate  his  forces  at 
Manassas, — a junction  situated  on  the  Gap,  Orange  and 
Alexandria  Railroad,  just  south  of  Bull  Run,  which  is  a small 
stream  lying  half-way  between  Alexandria  and  the  Manassas 
and  Ashby  Gaps  of  the  Blue  Ridge.  The  Mt.  Mitchell  ford 
of  the  stream  is  half-way  between  Centerville  and  Manassas 
Junction,  each  place  being  a distance  of  three  miles  from  Bull 
Run.  The  banks  of  the  stream  nearest  the  battle-field  were 
nearly  all  very  rugged. 

General  Beauregard’s  force  by  the  last  of  July  was  about 
21,833  men,  with  29  guns. 

The  Confederate  forces  at  AMrktown  on  June  10  under 
the  command  of  Gen.  John  B.  Magruder  were  1800,  and 
the  Federal  forces  were  4000.  The  former  advanced  9 miles 
to  Great  Bethel  and  were  repulsed  by  General  Magruder  with 
a loss  of  30  killed  and  100  wounded.  The  Confederate  losses 
were  1 killed  and  7 wounded. 

The  Bull  Run  Campaign.—  On  June  29  President 
Lincoln  and  his  council  of  war,  yielding  to  the  urgent  senti- 
ment of  the  public  in  the  Horth,  planned  the  Federal  advance 
under  General  McDowell.  This  general  had  at  his  disposal 
40,000  men  in  the  van  and  10,000  in  reserve  to  make  the 
initial  movements  against  Beauregard  at  Bull  Run ; while 
General  Patterson  was  to  hold  General  Johnston  in  check  at 
Winchester,  and  Butler,  uuth  his  three  to  one  forces,  was  to 
hold  Magruder  at  Yorktown. 

General  Patterson  on  the  1st  of  July  had  advanced  towards 
Harper’s  Ferry  with  nearly  20,000  men.  Gen.  J.  E.  Johns- 
ton, with  a much  weaker  force,  deemed  it  advisable  to  retreat 
to  Winchester,  25  miles  to  the  soiithwest.  General  Patterson 
then  moved  to  Martinsburg,  about  twenty  miles  northwest  of 


OLD  VIRGIJ^IA  41 

Harper’s  Ferry.  The  two  armies  were  now  about  25  miles 
apart. 

On  July  15  General  Patterson  adyanced  to  Bunker  Hill, 
15  miles  from  Winchester.  A wagon  road  led  from  Win- 
chester through  Ashby  Gap  to  the  Piedmont  Railroad 
and  thence  to  Manassas  Junction.  Thus  Johnston  at  the 
critical  time  was  nearer  the  Bull  Run  field  of  battle  than  was 
Patterson. 

On  July  16  McDowell  marched  from  the  fortification  in 
front  of  Washington  toward  Centeryille,  followed  by  a large 
crowd  of  non-combatants  as  onlookers  to  see  the  great  yictory 
that  they  w^ere  so  confident  the  Federal  army  would  win.  On 
July  18  President  Dayis  ordered  General  Johnston,  if  he 
deemed  it  adyisable,  to  march  to  the  formation  of  a junction 
with  Beauregard.  This  Patterson  had  made  possible  by  or- 
dering his  army  to  retire  to  Charleston,  twenty-two  miles 
northeast  of  Winchester  and  ten  miles  northeast  of  Bunker 
Flill.  His  reason  giyen  for  this  peculiar  moye  was  that  he 
had  receiyed  information  that  Johnston  had  20,000  reinforce- 
ments. 

Johnston,  on  receiying  President  Dayis’  order,  and  learning 
of  Patterson’s  moye,  started  at  once  with  8,000  men  for 
Manassas,  forded  the  Shenandoah,  and  passed  Ashby  Gap. 
At  Piedmont  Station  he  took  the  train  and  reached  Manassas 
Junction  Saturday  morning,  July  20.  McDowell  had 
already  reached  Centeryille  and  on  the  17th  had  driyen  in  the 
Confederate  pickets.  General  Tyler  had  had  a sharp  skirmish 
at  Blackburn  Ford,  where  he  commanded  3,000  men,  opposed 
to  Longstreet  with  2,000.  Tyler  was  worsted  and  withdrew 
after  losing  60  killed  and  200  wounded.  The  Confederates 
lost  15  killed  and  53  wounded.  Two  days  were  now  passed 
by  McDowell  in  reconnoitering, — days  during  which  Johns- 
ton was  hastening  to  join  Beauregard,  a junction  which  caused 
the  defeat  of  McDowell. 

The  Battle  of  Bull  Run. — July  21,  1861,  came  on  Sun- 


42 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


day.  The  morning  dawned  bright  and  clear  over  the  land 
where  the  first  great  battle  of  the  Civil  War  was  to  be  fought. 
Throughout  the  preceding  night  rumblings  of  heavy  wagons 
and  artillery  could  be  heard  in  the  vicinity  of  Centerville  and 
along  the  road  approaching  the  historic  little  stream  of  Bull 
Eun.  Both  armies  were  alert,  preparing  for  the  bloody  trial  . 
at  ai*ms. 

It  was  the  purpose  of  both  commanders  to  assume  the 
initiative  in  the  early  morning. 

McDowell  had  ordered  Tyler,  with  the  first  division,  to 
cross  the  Stone  Bjidge  on  the  Warrenton  Pike  at  6 a.  m. 
Hunter  and  Heintzelman  were  given  orders  to  cross  Bull  Eun 
at  Sudley  Ford,  three  miles  above  the  Stone  Bridge,  hut 
their  movements  were  delayed,  and  it  was  near  9 a.  m.  before 
the  left  flank  of  the  Confederates,  under  Colonel  Evans  and 
General  Bee,  was  encountered.  With  only  five  regiments  and 
six  field-2:)ieees,  they  obstinately  resisted  but  were  beaten  back 
to  the  Eobinson  House,  where  General  Jackson  Avas  posted 
with  five  regiments  to  assist  the  hard-pressed  Confederates. 
General  Tyler  had  now  crossed  the  Stone  Bridge  and  joined 
Hunter  and  Heintzelman ; and  with  strong  evidence  of  victory 
the  enemy  fiercely  pressed  their  advantage. 

At  the  crest  of  Henry’s  Hill  for  two  hours  the  mighty  con- 
flict raged.  As  General  Bee  saAV  the  heroic  resistance  of  Gen- 
eral Jackson,  he  exclaimed  to  his  exhausted  men:  ‘‘  There 
are  Jackson  and  his  Virginians  standing  like  a stone  wall. 
Let  us  determine  to  die  here  and  we  will  conquer.”  Thus 
originated  the  name  that  clung  to  the  great  chieftain  forever 
afterward. 

In  the  meantime  the  Confederate  reserves  were  rapidly 
moved  up  to  support  the  well-nigh  spent  Confederates  on 
Henry’s  Hill.  Beauregard  had  reversed  the  order,  which  he 
had  given  in  the  early  part  of  the  morning,  for  Longstreet  and 
Jones  to  make  a demonstration  on  the  Federal  left  at 
Mitchell’s  Ford. 


OLD  VIEGIL^IA 


43 


At  2 p.  m.  General  Beauregard  and  General  Johnston  were 
in  immediate  command ; and  after  alternating  successes  all  the 
reinforcements  had  been  brought  to  the  front.  A grand  ef- 
fort on  the  part  of  the  Confederates  had  driven  the  Bederals, 
somewhat  disorganized,  from  the  plateau.  However,  they 
rapidly  rallied  their  troops,  and  foiuning  a wider  circle, 
had  apparently  determined  to  crush  the  Confederates’ 
left. 

At  this  fearfully  critical  period  the  third  and  last  stage  of 
the  battle  began.  General  Beauregard  observed  a body  of 
men  approaching  on  the  left  about  a mile  away.  To  the  great 
joy  of  the  Confederates  they  were  discovered  to  be  the  re- 
mainder of  Johnston’s  command  under  Gen.  Kirby  Smith 
that  was  coming  up  from  Piedmont  Station,  They  were  hur- 
riedly ordered  into  line  and  thrown  upon  the  slightly  disor- 
ganized Federals,  who  began  slowly  to  give  way.  Soon,  how- 
ever, the  retreat  became  a confused  and  terrible  flight.  At 
Bull  Eim  every  ford  was  fllled  with  fleeing  soldiers,  artillery, 
baggage-wagons,  and  horses.  At  Cub  Eun  Bridge  a veritable 
panic  ensued.  Great  confusion  extended  to  Centerville,  and 
not  until  the  Federals  were  behind  the  fortiflcations  at  Alex- 
andria did  the  rout  abate.  In  this  fearful  jumble,  the  fright 
of  the  terror-stricken  non-combatants  added  greatly  to  the  con- 
fusion. President  Davis  arrived  on  the  battle-fleld  about  4 
p.  m.  and  advised  a pursuit  of  the  enemy ; but  he  yielded  to  the 
judgment  of  Beauregard  and  Johnston. 

The  Confederates  did  not  attempt  an  active  pursuit  after 
driving  the  Federals  across  Bull  Eun,  nor  did  they  enter 
Centerville.  This  is  considered  by  many  competent  mil- 
itary critics  to  have  been  one  of  the  greatest  opportunities  the 
Confederates  had  to  annihilate  the  Federal  army  and  to  carry 
the  war  to  the  Federal  capital  itself. 

The  Union  army  had  30,594  present  for  duty  and  10,000  in 
reserve  under  Miles  at  Centerville.  Their  losses  were  nearly 
2000  killed  and  wounded  and  1600  prisoners,  many  of  whom 


44 


HTSTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


were  wounded.  Five  thousand  small  arms  and  28  pieces  of 
artillery  were  captured  by  the  Confederates. 

The  Confederates  had, — until  2 p.  in., — ■ 23,348  effective 
men,  including  Holmes’  division  and  the  arrival  of  Kirby 
Smith  added  8,884  more,  making  a total  of  32,232.  Their 
losses  Avere  378  killed;  1489  wounded,  missing  12,  total,  1879. 
Ko  arms  or  guns  were  lost,  but  the  two  brave  Generals  Bee  and 
Bartow  were  killed. 

The  effects  of  the  Bull  Run  victory  on  the  South  and 
the  preparations  following  it  — The  fact  that  the  Federal 
army  was  known  to  have  outnumbered  the  Southern  infused 
into  the  minds  of  the  Southern  people  an  over-confidence  and 
a false  sense  of  their  power.  Joseph  E.  Johnston  said: 
“ Our  troops  believed  the  Avar  Avas  practically  ended  and  left 
the  army  in  croAvds  to  return  to  their  homes.”  There  was 
relaxed  exertion  on  the  part  of  the  Confederates  in  folloAving 
up  their  advantage  and,  Avorse  than  this,  a laxity  of  discipline 
prevailed  in  holding  the  troops  together. 

President  Davis  Avarned  his  people  and  Congress  of  the 
long  and  Woody  struggle  he  expected.  Up  to  the  battle  of 
Bull  Run  100,000  men  Avere  called  for  one  year’s  service  and 
$66,000,000  had  been  authorized;  by  the  1st  of  January, 
1862,  a loan  of  $125,000,000  had  been  made.  By  the  1st  of 
Aiigust  there  Avere  in  the  field  200,000  men  and  on  the  8th  the 
Confederate  Congress  authorized  the  enlistment  of  400,000 
men  for  3 years’  sendee  and  additional  volunteers  for  local 
service. 

The  centers  of  organization  for  the  Confederates  during  the 
summer  and  fall  of  1861  were  YorktoAvn  and  Centerville, 
Avhere  the  troops  Avere  being  disciplined  under  Beauregard 
and  J.  E.  Johnston.  Winchester  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley 
Avas  the  tOAvn  where  Gen.  T.  J.  Jackson  Avas  collecting  his 
hardy  forces.  Gens.  R.  E.  Lee  and  H.  A.  Wise  Avere  at 
LeAvisburg  and  Valley  Mts.,  West  Virginia;  Gen.  F.  K.  Zolli- 
coffer  was  located  at  Knoxville.  Gens.  G.  J.  PilloAV,  S.  B. 


OLD  VIRGINIA 


45 


Buckner,  A.  S.  Johnston  and  Leonidas  Polk  were  stationed 
at  Xashville  and  Memphis ; Gen.  Ben  McCulloch  was  at  Little 
Bock,  and  Gen.  Sterling  Price  was  gathering  his  Missouri 
volunteers  at  Springfield. 

The  problem  of  equipping  the  soldiers  of  the  South  was  an 
enormous  task.  The  country  was  not  a manufacturing  one. 
Thei’e  were  no  iron  foundries,  nor  powder  mills ; but  after 
strenuous  efforts  by  June  1,  1861,  the  Confederate  Govern- 
ment had  secured  250,000  pounds  of  powder,  140,000  muskets 
and  rifles,  400  tons  of  sulphur  had  been  found  in  Mew 
Orleans,  and  new  uniforms,  blankets,  bridles,  knapsacks,  and 
many  other  valuable  necessities  of  war  had  been  provided. 
In  the  summer  of  ’61  powder  mills  were  established  in  South 
Carolina,  Morth  Carolina,  Virginia,  Georgia  and  Louisiana ; 
eight  arsenals  were  supplied  with  machinery  for  making 
clothes ; the  blockade  runners  were  kept  busy,  and  by  the  end 
of  the  year  1861,  300,000  men  were  fairly  equipped  and 
a lined. 

Preparations  for  the  great  conflict  in  the  North. — 

The  United  States  Congiess  was  holding  a special  session  in 
Washington  at  the  time  of  the  battle  of  Bull  Run.  Prom  July 
22  to  July  25  the  President  was  authorized  to  call  for  500,000 
men  for  3 years’  service,  with  sufficient  officers  to  command 
them  and  sufficient  arms  to  equip  them. 

On  July  29  an  act  Avas  passed  to  raise  for  the  regular 
army  nine  regiments  of  infantry,  one  of  cavalry,  and  one 
of  artillery.  On  August  5 it  was  authorized  that  a sufficient 
number  of  seamen  be  enlisted  to  place  the  navy  in  a good  con- 
dition for  active  seiwice.  Financial  measures  Avere  made  in 
the  act  of  July  13  to  collect  customs  where  laws  could  not  be 
enforced  at  points  of  delivery  and  to  declare  insurrection  in 
all  parts  of  the  L^nited  States  where  this  enforcement  had  to 
be  made. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  had  been  empowered  by 
Congress  (July  17)  to  borrow  $250,000,000  on  the  credit  of 


46 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


the  Government  by  bond  issue.  On  August  5 a large  in- 
crease was  made  in  the  duties  on  imports. 

By  the  act  of  August  6 President  Lincoln  was  authorized 
to  seize  and  confiscate  all  property  employed  or  which  might  be 
employed  in  aiding  the  Confederacy. 

Changes  after  Bull  Run  in  the  official  arrangement  of 
the  Federal  Army. — In  the  latter  part  of  July  Gen.  G.  B. 
McClellan, — who  had,  as  we  have  seen,  gained  some  minor 
successes  in  West  Virginia  before  the  battle  of  Bull  Run, — 
was  called  to  Washington  to  supersede  McDowell.  This 
change  and  the  results  of  Bull  Run  caused  the  abandonment 
of  the  plan  of  the  Unionists  to  force  their  way  to  Knoxville 
and  help  the  Unionists  of  West  Virginia,  East  Kentucky,  and 
Tennessee.  Gen.  S.  Rosecrans  Avas  left  in  command  in  West 
Virginia.  Before  this  Gen.  John  C.  Fremont  had  been  ap- 
pointed Commander  of  the  West, — including  Kentucky,  Illi- 
nois, Missouri,  and  Kansas, — Avith  his  headquarters  at  St. 
Louis.  Subject  to  General  Fremont  Avere  Major  Anderson  at 
Louisville,  Gen.  B.  M.  Prentiss  at  Cairo,  and  Gen.  Kathaniel 
Lyon  at  Spring-field.  In  October  Gen.  W.  T.  Sherman  as- 
sumed command  in  Major  Anderson’s  place  and  Avas  succeeded 
in  Kov-ember  by  Gen.  Don  Carlos  Buell.  About  the  end  of 
September  Gen.  U.  S.  Grant,  Avho  Avas  to  become  the  fore- 
most general  in  the  Federal  army,  Avas  placed  at  Cairo. 
General  Fremont  was  superseded  by  General  Hunter  on  Ko- 
vember  1,  and  by  the  middle  of  the  month  H.  W.  Halleck 
was  placed  in  command  at  St.  Louis. 

During  the  summer  and  fall  of  ’61  over  half  a million  men 
were  organized,  drilled,  equipped,  and  placed  in  the  field  by 
the  Federal  Government.  A large  part  of  the  credit  of  per- 
fecting this  great  army  belongs  to  General  McClellan.  The 
chief  cities  for  organization  were  Washing-ton,  Cincinnati, 
Louisville,  Cairo,  and  St.  Louis.  The  manufacturers  in  the 
Korth  Avere  using  all  their  ingenuity  in  producing  clothing, 
arms,  and  ammunition;  many  iron  and  steel  foundries  were 


OLD  VIRGINIA 


47 


changed  to  manufactories  of  arms,  and  by  sending  to  Europe 
for  supplies  the  armies  were  soon  equipped. 

The  Federal  navy  was  organized  in  order  to  facilitate  the 
blockade.  The  West  and  Gulf  squadrons  were  placed  under 
Capt.  N.  W.  McKean,  the  south  Atlantic  squadron  was  under 
Capt.  S.  F.  DuPont,  and  the  North  Atlantic  squadron  was  in 
command  of  Capt.  L.  M.  Goldsborough.  By  December,  1861, 
the  Navy  consisted  of  about  260  ships,  with  2500  gains  and 
2200  seamen. 


CHAPTEE  V 


THE  MILITAEY  MOVElMEHTS  AFTER  BULL  RUN  TO  THE  CLOSE 

OF  ’61 

In  Missouri,  General  Lyon, — after  he  had  occupied  the 
capital  of  the  State  on  June  15, — proceeded  up  the  Mis- 
souri Eiver  to  Booneville,  and  on  June  20  made  an  attack 
on  1800  Missourians,  600  of  whom  were  armed  with  only  im- 
perfect small  guns.  One  hundred  Eederals  were  killed  and 
wounded,  3 Confederates  were  killed  and  25  were  wounded, 
while  the  rest  were  scattered  in  flight. 

On  July  3 General  Price  came  from  Booneville  and  Gen- 
eral Jackson  came  from  Lexington  to  form  a junction  near 
AVarsaw  on  the  Osage  Eiver. 

Col.  Franz  Sigel,  with  3,000  men,  had  been  sent  (June  23) 
to  take  possession  of  Springfield,  Mo., — the  most  important 
city  in  southwest  Missouri, — and  from  there  he  had  moved 
to  Carthage,  one  and  a half  miles  from  which  place  General 
Jackson,  then  in  command  of  the  Confederates,  had  placed 
his  army.  Sigel  had  posted  his  army  on  a near-hy  hill,  but 
was  driven  from  his  position  and  retreated  during  the  night 
toward  Springfield.  Lie  was  joined  July  13  by  General 
Lyon,  which  made  a Union  force  of  6000  men.  The  day 
after  the  battle  General  Price  had  arrived  at  Carthage  with 
General  McCulloch  and  Major  Pearce,  of  Arkansas,  with 
State  troops  numbering  2000  men. 

On  July  7 the  whole  force  of  Price  was  moved  toward 
the  boundary  line  of  Indian  Territory,  where  they  remained 
several  days  organizing  and  drilling  their  raw  troops.  After 
this  the  Confederates  decided  to  assume  the  offensive.  The 
army  now  under  McCulloch  and  Price  advanced  toward 

48 


FEOM  BULL  EUU  TO  THE  YEAE  1862  49 


Springfield ; bnt  a parley  was  held  thirty  miles  from  the  city 
to  settle  a misunderstanding  as  to  Avho  was  the  ranking  officer, 
it  ended  hy  General  Price  relinquishing  the  command  to  Gen- 
eral McCulloch. 

Battle  of  Wilson  Creek. — General  Lyon,  now  located  at 
Spring-field,  had  been  fearful  of  the  long  retreat  to  Eolla, — 
one  hundred  miles  away  and  the  terminal  of  the  railroad 
from  St.  Louis, — and  had  resolved  to  take  the  chance  of  a 
battle.  On  August  9 the  Confederates  stopped  at  Wilson 
Creek  and  Oak  Hills,  about  nine  miles  to  the  southwest  of 
Springfield.  At  sunrise  of  August  10  the  Confederates 
were  surprised  and  attacked  both  on  the  right  flank  and  in 
front  by  Sigel  and  Lyon.  The  battle  was  fought  Avhere  there 
was  a heavy  growth  of  underbrush,  and  for  the  number  en- 
gaged it  was  a very  desperate  and  bloody  combat.  At  first  the 
victory  seemed  to  turn  toward  the  Federals;  but  McCul- 
loch saw  the  terrible  strain  on  his  right  flank  and  sent  heavy 
reinforcements.  At  the  same  time  he  placed  himself  at  the 
head  of  two  companies  of  Louisiana  soldiers,  and  supported 
by  Colonel  Herbert’s  Louisiana  Volunteers  and  McIntosh’s 
mounted  Arkansans,  drove  Sigel  back,  capturing  every  gun. 
General  Lyon,  hard  pressed  from  the  front  by  superior 
numbers,  was  making  a desperate  fight.  Very  anxious 
as  to  the  result,  he  advanced  to  the  nearest  regiment, 
saying:  “ Forward,  men ! I will  lead  you,”  rode  a short  dis- 
tance on  his  horse,  was  stnick  in  the  chest  by  two  buckshot, 
and  fell  from  his  saddle  dead. 

The  Federals  had  5,600  men  engaged.  They  lost  258 
killed,  873  Avounded  and  300  prisoners,  Avith  6 pieces  of  artil- 
lery captured.  The  death  of  General  Lyon  Avas  a severe 
disaster  to  the  army.  He  was  an  energetic,  fearless  man,  and 
a capable  officer.  The  Confederates  had  someAvhat  over  7,000 
effective  men  in  the  battle.  They  lost  279  killed,  951 
AA-ounded, — a total  of  1230. 

Results  of  the  buttle. — The  news  of  this  success  greatly 


50 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


encouraged  the  Secessionists  in  Missouri ; but  the  misunder- 
standing between  McCulloch  and  Price  caused  a division  of 
the  Confederate  aiany.  Price  held  a commission  from  the 
State  of  Missouri  and  McCulloch  from  the  Confederate  Gov- 
ernment. McCulloch  now  retired  into  Arkansas,  wFile  Gen- 
eral Price,  instead  of  pursuing  Sigel’s  weakened  army  toward 
Eolla,  moved  northwest.  On  September  2 Price  encoun- 
tered the  notorious  General  Lane  at  Drywood  Creek,  near  the 
Kansas  line,  and  drove  his  partisan  forces  hack  to  Kansas. 
Price  now  captured  Fort  Scott  and  then  moved  to  Lexington, 
Mo.,  on  the  banks  of  the  Missouri  River. 

General  Fremont’s  Movements. — Several  weeks  after 
General  Lyon  had  started  on  the  campaigTi  that  ended  in  his 
death  General  Fremont  reached  St.  Louis  and  proceeded  vigor- 
ously to  organize  and  discipline  troops  for  the  purpose  of  gain- 
ing Federal  control  of  Missouri  and  of  holding  Cairo,  which  is 
situated  at  the  junction  of  the  Ohio  and  the  Mississippi.  On 
the  1st  of  August  he  went  to  Cairo  for  the  purpose  of  directing 
the  control  of  organization,  but  returned  to  St.  Louis  (August 
4),  where  he  heard  of  the  death  of  General  Lyon,  whom  he 
had  allowed  to  shift  for  himself  instead  of  hurrying  reinforce- 
ments to  his  aid. 

On  August  30  Fremont  took  to  himself  the  authority  of  a 
military  dictator  and  proclaimed  martial  law  north  of  a line 
extending  from  Leavenworth,  Kan.,  on  the  west,  through 
Jefferson  City  and  Rolla  to  Cape  Girardeau  on  the  Mississippi 
River.  This  law  commanded  that  all  persons  taken  with  arms 
in  their  hands  should  he  tried  by  court  martial  and,  if  found 
guilty,  should  be  shot.  It  also  ordered  all  slaves  to  be  freed. 
This  high-handed  law  created  great  excitement  and  received 
the  disapproval  of  Mr.  Lincoln. 

Two  months  afterward  Fremont  was  removed  from  the  com- 
mand of  the  Western  Military  Department ; not,  however,  be- 
fore he  had  committed  another  blunder.  Before  his  removal 


FROM  BULL  RUN'  TO  THE  YEAR  1862  51 


he  had  sent  Colonel  Mulligan,  with  3,000  men  and  a battery 
of  artillery,  to  fortify  Lexington,  125  miles  from  Jefferson 
City,  on  the  Missouri  River.  Mulligan  reached  the  place 
September  9.  General  Price  after  the  capture  of  Port  Scott 
(September  2)  moved  rapidly  toward  Lexington  and  appeared 
before  the  town  on  September  12,  with  a force  of  from 
15,000  to  20,000  men.  Eremont  had  sent  Mulligan  into  a 
trap.  On  September  18  Price  began  the  attack  on  Lexing- 
ton, which  was  defended  with  marked  bravery  by  the  Fed- 
erals;  but  they  were  forced  to  surrender  (September  20). 
On  Colonel  Mulligan’s  giving  his  sword  to  General  Price,  the 
Confederate  commander  returned  it,  saying : “ I could  not  see 
a man  of  your  valor  without  his  sword.” 

The  Federals  lost  in  killed  and  wounded  500  men,  and  sur- 
rendered 5 Colonels,  19  Commissioned  officers,  3500  privates, 
5 cannons,  3000  muskets  and  rifles,  a large  quantity  of  am- 
munition, TOO  horses,  and  $100,000  worth  of  commissary 
stores.  The  Confederate  losses  were  very  small. 

General  Price,  followed  by  Fremont,  now  retreated  to  the 
southwestern  part  of  the  State  with  all  the  Missouri  troops. 
At  Neosha,  Price  formed  a junction  with  McCulloch,  who 
had  again  entered  the  State.  Governor  Jackson  and  part  of 
the  State  legislature  were  assembled  there,  and  a rump  con- 
vention was  held,  in  which  ordinances  of  secession  were  passed. 

General  Fremont  superseded  by  Hunter. — By  slow 
marching  Fremont  reached  Springfleld  on  October  27, 
where  he  established  his  headquarters  at  Cassville,  some  flfty 
miles  south, — in  the  Ozark  Mountains,  not  more  than  flfteen 
miles  from  the  Arkansas  line.  Fremont  had  planned  to  push 
the  war  into  Arkansas,  but  at  this  juncture  he  was  superseded 
hy  General  Hunter,  Avho  deemed  Fremont’s  plan  a poor  one, 
since  he  already  found  it  difficult  to  provision  his  army  at 
Springfleld.  He  also  felt  that  a large  part  of  the  Dutch  and 
German  division  of  his  army  was  unfriendly  to  him;  so 


52 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


Hunter  decided  to  move  back  to  Eolla.  Price  now  moved 
forward  to  Springfield,  where  be  made  headquarters,  recruit- 
ing and  gathering  supplies  for  his  army. 

The  record  of  Gen.  Sterling  Price’s  poorly  equipped,  ragged 
army  of  Missourians, — who  had  in  four  months  marched  800 
miles  and  been  on  the  fighting  line  most  of  the  time  under 
the  most  adverse  conditions, — was  a wonder  to  the  Avhole 
country.  It  had  no  parallel  in  the  history  of  the  war.  We 
must  leave  the  progress  of  affairs  in  Missouri  for  the  present 
and  turn  to  watch  the  great  events  that  were  happening  in  the 
States  of  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  and  down  the  Mississippi 
River. 

Kentucky  had  in  August,  ’61  elected  a strong  Unionist  leg- 
islature, and  now  rapidly  abandoned  the  idea  and  sentiment 
of  neutrality.  On  September  3 Gen.  Leonidas  Polk, — 
formerly  the  Episcopal  bishop  of  Louisiana,  now  a major- 
general  in  the  Confederate  army, — had  taken  possession  of 
Hickman,  Chalk  Bluff,  and  Columbus,  Kentucky,  on  the 
Mississippi  River.  The  legislature  of  the  State  sent  a com- 
mittee to  him  on  September  9,  requesting  him  to  withdraw 
and  respect  the  State’s  neutrality;  but,  as  the  Federal  forces 
had  for  some  time  disregarded  it.  General  Polk  answered  that 
he  would  withdraw  provided  the  State  would  at  the  same  time 
agree  to  make  the  Federal  forces  Avithdraw  and  Avould  keep 
them  out.  The  committee  reported  this  ansAver  to  the  legisla- 
ture, and  it  at  once  passed  resolutions  declaring  that  the  neu- 
trality had  been  Auolated  by  the  Confederacy.  The  governor 
vetoed  the  resolution,  but  a majority  of  the  legislature  voted 
for  it ; and  thus  the  government  of  Kentucky  Avas  the  declared 
enemy  of  the  Confederacy.  The  neutrality  of  Kentucky  had 
been  a farce,  the  GoA-ernment  at  Washington  had  ignored  it, 
and  were  actively  enlisting  men  and  preparing  Avith  great  ac- 
tivity to  prevent  any  secession  movements  in  that  State,  just 
as  had  been  done  in  Missouri. 

On  September  19  General  Zollicoffer,  who  had  been  col- 


FROM  BULL  RUJ^  TO  THE  YEAR  1862  53 

lecting  Confederate  forces  from  around  Knoxville  advanced 
from  Cumberland  Gap  to  Barboursville,  Knox  County,  Ky., 
and  scattered  1500  Eederals.  He  then  proceeded  to  London, 
Laurel  County,  where  a Union  camp  was  broken. 

On  September  18  Gen.  S.  B.  Buckner,  with  a considerable 
number  of  Kentucky  State  guards  and  soldiers  entered  Bowl- 
ing Green, — then  an  important  point  on  Big  Barren  River 
and  the  Louisville  & Kashville  Railroad  as  it  branched  to 
Kashville  and  Memphis,  Tenn. 

On  September  L,  1861,  Gen.  U.  S.  Grant,  who  had  super- 
seded General  Curtis,  occupied  Cairo,  111.,  with  about  14,000 
troops.  He  sent  some  of  these  to  Paducah,  Ky.,  at  the  mouth 
of  the  Tennessee  River  on  September  5.  General  Polk 
had  been  fortifying  and  strengthening  Columbus,  in 
Kentucky,  and  Belmont,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Mis- 
sissijDpi  River  in  Missouri.  General  Grant  on  the  1st  day  of 
Kov ember  ordered  Gen.  C.  E.  Smith  to  make  a feint  with  land 
forces  from  Paducah  to  aid  his  move  against  Columbus. 

Battle  of  Belmont. — Grant,  with  4000  men  in  large 
boats,  dropped  down  the  Mississippi  River  to  a point  5 miles 
above  Columbus,  and  on  the  morning  of  the  7th  of  Kovember 
advanced  on  the  Missouri  side  against  General  Pillow,  who 
had  three  regiments  at  Belmont.  Pillow  was  now  driven  back 
toward  the  river  and  the  Eederals  began  to  plunder  the  Con- 
federates’ camps.  General  Cheatham  was  sent  by  General 
Polk  across  from  Columbus  with  three  regiments,  rapidly  fol- 
lowed by  two  more,  to  assist  General  Pillow’s  scattered  troops, 
and  landed  above  Belmont.  General  Grant  saw  the  danger 
of  being  cut  off  from  his  transports  and  was  forced  to  order  a 
hasty  retreat,  and  after  great  difficulty  and  in  considerable 
confusion  barely  escaped  with  his  own  life. 

The  Federal  losses  were  120  killed,  383  wounded,  and  104 
captured  or  missing. 

The  Confederates  lost  from  500  to  600  killed  and  wounded, 
and  two  gains. 


54 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


The  battle  of  Belmont  was  a Confederate  victory.  The 
Federals  were  thoroughly  repulsed;  the  Confederates,  how- 
ever, were  prevented  from  sending  any  assistance  to  Price  in 
Missouri,  and  for  the  time  all  aggressive  movements  of  the 
Federals  were  diverted  down  the  Mississippi  River. 


CHAPTEK  VI 


MLITAKT  EYEJsTS  IJf  THE  EAST  FKOM  THE  TIME  OF  BHEL  EHN 
TO  THE  TEAS  1862 

West  Virginia  after  Bull  Run. — The  victories  of  Mc- 
Clellan at  Eich  Mountain  and  Laurel  Hill  had  forced  Gen- 
eral Wise  to  fall  back  to  Lewisburg  on  the  Greenbrier  Eiver. 
On  AugTTst  1,  after  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Eun,  President 
Davis  resolved  to  try  to  recover  this  part  of  Old  Virginia. 
So  he  sent  General  J.  B.  Eloyd, — -who  had  been  Governor  of 
Virginia  and  Secretary  of  W ar  under  Buchanan, — with  three 
regiments  and  a battery  of  cavalry  to  assume  command  in  the 
Kanawha  Valley. 

General  Eloyd  was  now  opposed  to  General  Cox  and  forced 
him  to  fall  back  from  Gauley  Bridge  to  Kew  Eiver,  the  south 
branch  of  the  Great  Kanawha  Eiver.  General  Wise  was  left 
here  to  hold  Cox  in  check  while  Floyd  moved  northeast  to 
Carnifex  Ferry,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Gauley  Eiver 
about  five  miles  from  Summerville,  Kicholas  County.  This 
move  was  to  check  reinforcements,  under  Colonel  Tyler,  sent 
by  Eosecrans  from  Clarksburg.  On  the  moiming  of  the  26th 
of  Augmst,  Floyd  surprised  the  Seventh  Ohio  regiment  at 
Cross  Lane,  near  the  Ferry,  and  scattered  it. 

The  Federals  lost  200  killed  and  wounded. 

Floyd  now  fortified  Carnifex  Feriy. 

On  September  10  Eosecrans  appeared  with  10,000  men  and 
assaulted  the  works,  but  was  severely  repulsed  by  Floyd,  who 
had  only  1750  men.  Floyd  had  asked  General  Wise  in  vain 
to  send  him  aid.  During  the  night  Floyd  evacuated  his  forti- 
fications and  moved  to  Sewell’s  Mountain,  which  he  strongly 

55 


56 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


fortified.  Eosecrans  did  not  follow,  because  bis  troops  were 
much  exhausted  by  their  long  march  from  Clarksburg  and 
by  the  repulse  they  had  received. 

After  General  Garnett’s  death  Gen.  Eobert  E.  Lee  was 
sent  at  once  to  take  his  place,  and  with  great  patience  and 
skill,  moved  his  army  to  the  upper  valley  of  Greenbrier 
Eiver,  in  front  of  the  Cheat  Mountain  defiles.  Most  of  the 
natives  of  that  region  Avere  Union  sympathizers  and  a great 
number  of  Lee’s  soldiers  Avere  sick  Avith  measles  and  from  ex- 
posure, as  he  states  to  his  Avife  in  a letter  Avritten  September  1. 
The  roads  Avere  in  a dreadful  condition  and  almost  impassable. 
When  General  Lee  learned  of  Eosecrans’  march  to  the  Ka- 
naAvha  V alley  he  maneuvered  against  the  brigade  of  Eeynolds. 

Lee’s  failure  at  Cheat  Mountain. — The  Federal  com- 
mander, General  Eeynolds,  held  a strong  position  on  the 
center  summit  of  Cheat  Mountain  Pass.  After  twice  recon- 
noitering  the  field  Colonel  Albert  Eust,  of  the  Third  Arkansas 
regiment,  reported  to  General  Lee  that  he  considered  that  the 
position  could  be  taken.  Therefore,  on  September  8 General 
Lee  gave  to  Colonel  Eust  1200  infantry  and  the  rest  of  the 
army  Avas  divided  into  three  divisions,  one  of  which,  under 
Gen.  H.  E.  Jackson,  was  to  move  by  the  turnpike.  General 
Anderson’s  division  Avas  to  move  to  the  rear  of  Eeynolds  on 
the  west  top  of  Cheat  Mountain  and  Lee’s  Avas  to  move  doAAm 
the  Tygart  Eiver  valley  and  attack  the  Federals.  The  plan 
Avas  to  act  on  hearing  Colonel  Eust’s  guns.  The  night  Avas 
stormy  and  the  army,  all  in  readiness.  Availed  in  vain  for  the 
signal  of  Eust’s  guns.  The  whole  plan  fell  through,  Eust 
had  failed  to  attack,  because  he  claimed  that  a fcAV  captured 
scouts  and  pickets  had  reported  that  the  force  he  was  to  attack 
greatly  outnumbered  his  OAvn.  Thus  the  best  arranged  and 
matured  plans  of  a genius  of  Avar  may  be  completely  ruined 
by  a subaltern  or  a colonel  of  infantiy.  Gen.  H.  E. 
Jackson  with  2500  men  Avas  left  by  General  Lee  at  Cheat 
Mountain  to  watch  Eeynolds,  while  on  September  20  Lee 


FROM  BULL  EUU  TO  THE  YEAR  18G2  57 


joined  General  Wise  at  Sewell  Mountain  and  ordered  Floyd 
to  join  them.  On  September  22  Lee  assumed  command  and 
extended  the  defenses. 

General  Rosecrans  now  advanced  and  occupied  Big  Sewell 
Mountain  with  an  army  of  17,000  men.  The  combined  Con- 
federate army  of  Wise,  Floyd,  and  Luring  was  8000.  The 
breach  of  friendship  between  Wise  and  Floyd  was  patched. 
Lee’s  army  occupied  a mountain  parallel  to  Rosecrans.  Each 
army  now  awaited  an  attack  from  the  other,  realizing  that 
the  attacking  party  in  such  a country  would  be  at  a great 
disadvantage.  After  12  days  of  waiting  and  watching 
Rosecrans,  on  the  night  of  October  6,  retreated.  The  rain 
and  mud  prevented  General  Lee  from  following. 

Gen.  H.  R.  Jackson,  wdth  the  withdrawal  of  Lee  from 
Cheat  Moimtain,  had  taken  up  his  position  on  Buffalo  Llill, 
where  he  was  attacked  October  3 by  the  Federals  with  a force 
of  4000  men.  These  were  repulsed  with  a loss  of  250  to 
300  killed  and  Avounded.  The  Confederates’  loss  was  42 
killed  and  Avounded. 

The  seA’ere  Avinter  terminated  the  West  Virginia  CampaigTi 
and  that  section  was  left  in  the  hands  of  the  Federals. 

General  Floyd  Avas  sent  to  Tennessee  and  Kentucky ; Gen- 
eral Wise  returned  to  Virginia  and  afterward  Avent  to  Forth 
Carolina,  and  General  Lee  was  sent  to  improve  the  fortifica- 
tions of  the  coasts  of  Forth  Carolina  and  South  Carolina. 

The  campaigu  in  West  Virginia  rather  impaired  the  mili- 
tary reputation  of  Gen.  Robert  E.  Lee  as  a skillful  com- 
mander. The  Southern  people  had  expected  that  Reynolds 
and  Rosecrans  Avould  be  defeated  and  driven  from  their 
strong  situation.  They  did  not  consider  the  difficulties  of 
the  route,  the  sickness  of  the  army,  the  rain,  mud,  and  SAVollen 
streams, — they  wanted  only  success  and  victory.  This  is 
the  result  by  Avhich  militaiy  leaders  are  judged.  President 
Jefferson  Davis  and  Governor  Letcher  of  Virginia  were  the 
two  men  of  the  Southern  Confederacy  who  could  clearly  see 


58 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


that  capability  and  greatness  were  the  characteristics  of  Gen. 
Lee.  A gTeat  part  of  the  glory  that  later  came  to  the  Con- 
federate aiTQS  was  due  to  the  fact  that  President  Davis’  faith 
in  Gen.  E.  E.  Lee  as  a genius  of  war  never  wavered  in  the 
greatest  trial  and  stress  of  the  Confederacy’s  history. 

Important  events  in  Old  Virginia  from  the  Battle  of 
Bull  Run  to  the  year  1862. — McClellan  had  been  practically 
placed  in  full  command  of  the  forces  at  Washington  and  on 
the  Potomac.  He  had  allowed  the  Confederates  to  advance 
their  outskirt  lines  to  Munson  Hill,  within  a few  miles  of 
Alexandria.  August,  September,  and  half  of  October  were 
consumed  by  McClellan  in  drilling,  organizing,  and  equip- 
ping the  great  army  of  150,000  men,  supplied  with  200 
pieces  of  artillery  and  all  the  necessary  munitions  of  war. 
Hearly  75,000  men  of  this  great  force,  possessing  fifty  artil- 
lery guns,  were  to  be  used  for  garrisoning  the  cities  of  An- 
napolis, Washington,  and  Baltimore.  The  other  75,000  men, 
with  one  hundred  and  fifty  gixns,  were  necessary  for  active 
service.  They  were  divided  into  eleven  divisions  under 
Generals  McDowell,  Stone,  Banks,  McCall,  Smith,  Fitz  J. 
Porter,  Blenker,  Keyes,  Franklin,  Heintzelman,  and  Hooker. 

The  Confederate  Generals  Johnston  and  Beauregard,  with 
50,000  men,  moved  back  to  Centerville  from  this  advanced 
position  in  the  stillness  of  the  night  of  October  15.  General 
Evans  of  the  Confederate  army  was  at  Leesburg,  on  the 
left.  General  Johnston  was  at  Centerville,  Holmes  was  at 
Aquia  Creek,  and  Magruder  still  faced  Butler  at  Yorktown. 

The  insistence  of  the  Korthern  people,  the  backward  move- 
ment of  the  Confederates  to  Centerville,  and  the  annoying 
blockade  of  Washington  by  the  Confederate  batteries  on  the 
lower  Potomac  caused  McClellan  to  assume  the  offensive. 
General  McCall,  who  had  been  sent  on  October  14  to  recon- 
noiter  in  front  of  Centervdlle  as  far  as  Dranesville,  fifteen 
miles  from  Leesburg, — reported  to  McClellan  on  October  19 
that  he  had  not  encountered  any  of  the  enemy. 


FEOM  BULL  HUN  TO  THE  YEAR  1862  59 


Ball’s  Bluff. — On  October  20  General  Stone,  who  was 
at  Poolesville,  Md., — on  the  Potomac  River  just  above 
Georgetown, — was  ordered  to  keep  a lookout  on  Leesburg 
and  make  a slight  demonstration  toward  the  town,  which  lay 
a few  miles  south  of  the  Potomac.  On  the  Virginia  side  of 
the  river  was  a high  bank,  called  Ball’s  Bluff,  near  which 
was  a considerable  forest. 

Accordingly  General  Stone  sent  Colonel  Devens,  of  the 
Fifteenth  Massachusetts,  over  to  Hai*rison  Island,  midway 
of  the  stream,  on  the  evening  of  the  20th,  with  further  orders 
to  send  a small  scouting  party  to  the  Virginia  shore  in  order 
to  locate  the  Confederates.  At  9 p.  m.  the  scouting  party 
reported  to  Colonel  Devens  that  an  unguarded  camp  of  Con- 
federates had  been  discovered  a short  distance  from  Ball’s 
Bluff.  General  Stone  was  at  once  informed  of  the  situation ; 
and  an  hour  later  he  ordered  Colonel  Devens  to  move  five 
companies  of  his  regiment  to  the  south  shore  and  at  day- 
break to  attack  the  Confederate  camp ; and  after  the  Con- 
federates had  been  routed  to  return  to  the  landing. 

Colonel  Devens  in  good  time  crossed  to  the  Virginia  shore 
and  at  daybreak  was  ready  to  attack  the  supposed  Confederate 
camp,  which  turned  out  to  be  a myth.  He  marched  to 
within  a mile  of  Leesburg  before  any  Confederates  were  ob- 
served (7  a.  m.,  October  21).  He  now  fell  back  to  the  open 
space  on  the  Bluff  to  await  reinforcements.  His  position 
was  exposed.  He  was  surrounded  by  woods  on  one  side  and 
the  deep,  rapid  river  on  the  other;  and  he  was  without  suffi- 
cient means  to  cross  in  an  emergency.  Meanwhile  Colonel 
Lee  had  reinforced  Devens  with  part  of  the  Twentieth  Mas- 
sachusetts, which  now  had  about  1000  men. 

The  firing  began  from  the  Confederate  lines  a little  after 
noon.  Colonel  E.  D.  Baker  of  the  California  regiment, — 
who  had  been  ordered  by  Stone  to  assume  chief  command, — 
hastening  to  the  Bluff,  arrived  about  2 p.  m.,  with  the  re- 
maining regiment  of  Devens  in  addition  to  Lee’s  and  a part 


60 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


of  the  Hew  AYrk  Tammany  regiment, — nearly  2500  men, — 
just  at  the  time  when  Colonel  Devens  was  most  sorely  pressed. 
Colonel  Baker  now  assumed  command  and  formed  a line; 
the  fighting  became  fierce;  the  odds  were  against  the  Federals, 
and  at  about  4 p.  m.  Colonel  Baker  was  shot  through  the 
head.  General  Evans’  Confederates  now  ordered  a charge 
of  all  the  forces;  whereupon  the  Federal  soldiers  gave  way 
in  a terrified  rout,  hundreds  being  driven  over  the  Bluff  in 
utter  dismay.  The  whole  army,  with  the  advancing  rein- 
forcements, was  panic  stricken  and  several  hundred  perished 
in  the  river.  They  were  raw  troops  and  had  never  seen 
battle,  and  instead  of  assisting  in  the  victory  they  had  ex- 
pected, they  were  met  by  an  enthusiastic,  exulting  foe.  In 
the  fearful  disaster  of  Ball’s  Bluff  the  Federals  lost  1000, — 
killed,  wounded,  and  drowned, — and  100  prisoners.  The 
losses  of  the  Confederates  were  150,  killed  and  wounded. 

The  Horth  was  much  hixmiliated  by  the  Ball’s  Bluff  dis- 
aster; but  the  authorities  at  Washington  minimized  the  loss, 
and  made  a scapegoat  of  General  Stone  in  order  to  shield 
others  higher  in  rank,  as  is  often  the  case.  He  was  im- 
prisoned for  six  months  and  released  without  trial. 

General  McClellan  continued  to  drill  and  equip  his  army. 
On  December  20  Gen.  J.  E.  B.  Stuart  with  an  army  of 
2500,  while  foraging  at  Dranesville,  was  attacked  by  General 
Ord,  with  a force  of  3500,  and  compelled  to  retire,  with  a 
loss  of  200  Confederates.  This  was  the  last  conflict  of  1861 
and  the  only  success  McClellan  had  achieved  since  the  Rich 
Mountain  victory  in  West  Virginia. 

Romney  and  Bath  Campaign. — In  September  Gen. 
Stonewall  Jackson  commanded  in  and  around  Winches- 
ter. He  was  accompanied  by  Colonel  Turner  Ashby,  with 
1200  cavalry,  and  General  Boring’s  command,  which,  after 
250  miles  march  from  West  Virginia,  had  joined  Jackson  at 
Winchester.  On  1st  day  of  January,  1862,  he  began  the 
march  to  Romney  with  9000  men  over  the  roughest  countiy 


FROM  BULL  RUI^r  TO  THE  YEAR  1862  61 

in  the  East  and  through  the  bitterest  winter  weather.  It 
was  a severe  trial.  Many  of  his  soldiers  were  without  tents, 
boots,  and  hats.  He  accomplished  his  purpose,  which  was  to 
force  the  Federals,  11,000  strong,  to  ford  the  Potomac  River 
in  the  coldest  weather.  He  captured  many  of  the  enemy  and 
large  quantities  of  supplies  for  his  army ; but  a great  number 
of  his  soldiers  succumbed  to  the  cruel  exposure. 

This  closed  the  military  movements  on  land  for  the  severe 
winter  season. 


CHAPTER  VII 


INSTITUTION  OF  SOUTHERN  BLOCKADE 

Naval  operations  during  1861. — The  Federal  navy  was 
almost  disorganized  in  May,  1861.  Many  of  the  officers 
had  joined  the  Confedei’acy,  and  at  the  beginning  of  the  war 
much  naval  material  and  several  vessels  had  been  seized  by 
the  Confederates. 

One  of  the  wisest  measures  that  Lincoln  instituted  on  his 
entrance  into  office  was  the  establishment  of  the  blockade 
system  along  the  Southern  coast.  This  seemed  to  be  an  al- 
most impossible  task,  but  it  had  become  practically  effective 
by  the  end  of  1861. 

At  the  opening  of  the  war  the  Federal  navy  consisted  of 
90  ships-of-war  and  1800  guns.  One  year  afterward  there 
were  386  ships  and  3027  guns.  In  every  available  harbor 
of  the  East  and  on  the  Mississippi  River  and  the  Ohio  River 
vessels  were  being  built,  and  foundries  w'orked  day  and  night 
to  supply  them.  Mr.  Mallory,  Secretary  of  the  Confederate 
Navy  Department,  was  slow  in  his  efforts  and  administra- 
tion, leaving  the  seacoast  of  the  South  exposed  and  defense- 
less in  many  places. 

On  August  28,  1861,  General  Butler  and  Commodore 
Stringham  led  a successful  expedition  against  Hatteras  Inlet, 
which  was  a very  important  point  and  a rendezvous  for  the 
Confederates.  The  Federals  lost  5,  wounded.  The  Con- 
federates lost  23,  killed  and  wounded,  and  665  prisoners. 

On  October  9 Fort  Pickens  off  Pensacola  was  preserved 
and  it  was  held  during  the  remainder  of  the  war  by  the 
Unionists,  while  Fort  McRae  on  the  west  side  was  held  by  the 
Confederates.  In  October  at  Old  Point  Comfort  a great 

62 


IJs^STITUTIOlSr  OF  SOUTHEEN  BLOCKADE  63 


naval  expedition  was  organized  to  operate  against  Port  Eoyal. 
Captain  Samuel  F.  Dupont  was  the  commander  of  the  15 
war  vessels,  and  General  Thomas  W.  Sherman  of  the  15,000 
soldiers  on  30  transports. 

On  Kovember  3 this  force  was  observed  approaching  the 
harbor  of  Port  Eoyal,  S.  C.  First  Fort  Walker,  on  Hilton 
Head,  and  Fort  Beauregard,  on  the  opposite  side  were  taken, 
with  50  guns  and  2000  prisoners.  The  Confederates  also 
lost  100  killed  and  wounded.  The  Federal  loss  was  31,  killed 
and  wounded.  Dupont  also  captured  Fort  Tybee  Island  at 
the  mouth  of  the  Savannah  Eiver.  This  was  a great  Federal 
success,  as  it  gave  to  them  early  in  the  war  a sti’ong  foothold 
on  the  Southern  seacoast. 

The  Mason  and  Slidell  Affair. — On  November  8,  1861, 
an  incident  occurred  which  almost  precipitated  Avar  between 
the  Korth  and  Great  Britain.  James  M.  Mason  and  John 
Slidell,  with  their  families,  had  been  sent  by  President  Davis 
to  England  in  order  to  represent  the  Confederacy  in  that 
country.  An  English  vessel  at  Havana,  called  the  Trent, 
had  taken  them  on  board.  Captain  Charles  Wilkes,  of  the 
United  States  Avar-ship  San  Jacinto,  Avaylaid  the  Trent  in 
the  Bahama  Channel  and  forcibly  overhauled  it,  demanding 
the  surrender  of  Mason  and  Slidell,  and  upon  the  refusal 
of  the  demand,  Avithout  the  consent  of  the  English  captain. 
Mason  and  Slidell  Avere  by  force  transferred  to  the  San  Ja- 
cinto. They  Avere  then  sent  to  Fort  Warren  in  Boston  Har- 
bor. 

This  CA'ent  was  looked  upon  by  the  British  Government  as 
an  insult  to  their  flag,  and  for  a while  it  seemed  as  if  the 
release  of  the  prisoners  Avould  be  the  only  way  out  of  the 
trouble. 

The  public  of  the  Korth  approved  of  the  action  of  Captain 
Wilkes  and  praised  him  accordingly.  Lincoln  declared  that 
the  United  States  must  respect  the  rights  of  neutral  nations 
and  that  their  war  vessels  had  no  right  to  detain  and  take 


64 


IIISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


Mason  and  Slidell  without  trial  by  a reg’ular  prize  court  of 
the  United  States.  He  then  authorized  that  Mason  and 
Slidell  be  released.  This  was  a wise  piece  of  diplomacy  on 
the  part  of  the  Federal  Government;  but  was  a great  disap- 
pointment to  the  Confederates,  Avho  had  hoped  that  the  naval 
ethciency  of  the  ISTorth  would  be  injured,  thus  destroying  the 
blockade.  The  Southeni  people  also  considered  it  an  act 
of  cowardice  on  the  part  of  the  ISTorth  to  make  concession  so 
readily  to  England’s  demands. 

This  practically  closed  the  main  events  of  the  Civil  War 
for  the  year  1861. 


CHAPTEE  VIII 


MII.I.S  SPKIlsrGS  AJiTD  FORT  DONEFSON 

The  Year  1862. — At  the  beginning  of  this  year  the  forces 
of  the  Horth  as  well  as  those  of  the  South  were  well  organ- 
ized. The  line  of  defense  of  the  Confederates  extended 
from  Yorktown  on  the  eastern  coast  of  Virginia,  along  the 
southern  Potomac  to  Aquia  Creek,  Centerville,  Leesburg, 
Winchester,  thence  to  the  head  of  the  Great  Kanawha  Valley 
to  Cumberland  Gap,  and  from  there  to  Bowling  Green, 
Ky., — on  the  Big  Barren  Eiver, — then  westward  to  Fort 
Donelson  on  the  Cumberland  River,  and  Fort  Henry  on  the 
Tennessee,  and  taking  in  Columbus  on  the  Mississippi  and 
Springfield,  in  southwestern  Missouri. 

The  year  1862  opened  with  a series  of  terrible  reverses  to 
the  Confederates,  the  reason  for  which  was  want  of  material 
to  supply  their  soldiers  and  a proper  appreciation  of  the 
mighty  preparations  the  Federal  Government  had  been  mak- 
ing after  the  humiliation  at  Bull  Run  and  Ball’s  Bluff. 

On  January  10,  1862,  Gen.  James  A.  Garfield,  with 
2000  men,  met  the  Confederate  forces  commanded  by  Colonel 
Humphrey  Marshall  at  Middle  Creek,  a very  short  distance 
west  of  Prestonburg,  Ky.  It  was  a drawn  battle,  both  par- 
ties claiming  the  victory.  The  Confederates  withdrew  to 
Pound  Gap  and  General  Garfield  to  Pointsville. 

Mills  Spring’s. — Soon  after  the  conflict  at  Prestonburg 
the  Federal  forces  occupied  Somerset  and  CoKmbia;  this 
caused  the  Confederates  to  abandon  Barbourville  and  the 
extreme  eastern  part  of  Kentucky.  A few  days  later  4000 
Confederate  soldiers,  under  Generals  Zollicoffer  and  Critten- 

65 


66 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


den  advanced  to  Mills  Springs  on  the  south  side  of  the  Cum- 
berland Eiver,  about  15  miles  from  Somerset. 

General  George  Thomas,  who  was  located  at  Columbia, 
and  General  Schoef,  who  was  at  Somerset,  had  been  ordered 
by  General  Buell  to  form  a junction  and  attack  the  Con- 
federates. Crittenden  was  very  anxious  to  attack  these 
aimies  separately,  for  the  condition  of  his  men  was  any- 
thing but  encouraging,  since  they  had  been  almost  destitute  of 
supplies  for  some  time  on  account  of  the  poorness  of  the 
country  about  them.  Their  supply-boats  had  been  prevented 
from  coming  up  the  Cumberland  by  the  Federals  stationed 
at  Columbia.  Crittenden  had  fortified  Mills  Springs  on 
the  south  bank  of  the  Cumberland,  and  had  then  crossed  to 
the  north  side,  fortifying  Camp  Beach  Grove  with  earth- 
works. 

At  midnight  of  January  19  Crittenden  ordered  his  army 
forward,  hoping  to  surprise  General  Thomas.  However,  be- 
fore his  arrival  the  Federal  generals  had  joined  their  forces. 
In  the  early  morning  hours,  with  an  impetuous  charge,  the 
Confederates  caused  considerable  confusion  in  the  Federal 
ranks.  While  reconnoitering  General  Zollicoffer  with  his 
staff  rode  by  mistake  into  the  part  of  the  Federal  lines  that 
were  under  Colonel  Fry.  The  general  saluted,  and  being  mis- 
taken for  a Federal  officer,  was  riding  away  when  one  of  his 
staff  with  foolhardiness  fired  at  the  line.  The  volley  that 
immediately  followed  caused  the  general  to  be  pierced  by 
several  balls.  The  dead  body  of  Zollicoffer  was  recognized 
by  the  Federals  and  insulted  by  the  soldiers. 

After  the  fall  of  Zollicoffer  the  Confederates  were  de- 
pressed. Crittenden,  with  great  heroism,  tried  to  turn 
the  tide,  but  without  avail.  General  Thomas  rushed  his 
fresh  troops  to  the  front  and  at  the  same  time  started  a flank 
movement.  The  Confederates  were  forced  to  retreat  to  Camp 
Beach  Grove,  which  they  reached  about  dark.  This  stopped 


MILLS  SPEIXGS  AND  FOET  DONELSON  67 


the  Federal  advance.  During  the  night  Crittenden  retreated 
across  the  river  to  Mills  Springs. 

The  battle  of  Mills  Springs  was  a severe  blow  to  the  Con- 
federate cause  in  eastern  Kentucky.  It  was  a fight  against 
great  odds.  The  Federals  had  nearly  10,000  men  in  active 
service, — all  well  provisioned  and  abundantly  supplied  with 
artillery.  Crittenden  had  somewhat  more  than  4000  men, — 
hungry,  poorly  supplied  with  arms,  and  with  only  six  or  seven 
guns. 

The  Confederates  lost  500  men,  killed  and  wounded,  be- 
sides their  brave  commander,  also  a great  amount  of  their 
ammimition  and  stores,  horses,  wagons,  and  artillery.  They 
were  forced  to  retreat  to  Nashville. 

The  Federals  lost  only  about  250,  killed  and  woimded. 

Gen.  Albert  Sidney  Johnston  was  in  command  of  the 
Confederate  forces  on  the  Mississippi  Eiver  from  Bowling 
Green  to  Columbus.  He  was  supposed  to  have  a large  force, 
but  in  reality  at  the  time  of  the  battle  of  Mills  Creek  his 
whole  army, — which  stretched  over  this  immense  territory, 
Avith  three  great  rivers  to  guard, — did  not  exceed  25,000  men. 

General  Buell  had  an  army  of  40,000,  situated  in  front 
of  Johnston,  and  extending  to  Louisville.  Thomas  was  on 
Johnston’s  right,  with  12,000  men;  Gen.  C.  F.  Smith,  with 
5000  men,  was  at  Paducah;  and  Gen.  H.  S.  Grant,  with 
15,000,  held  Cairo.  At  the  same  time  that  Thomas  was  or- 
dered against  Crittenden  at  Mills  Springs,  Grant  was  ordered 
against  Columbus  and  also  to  make  a demonstration  toward 
Fort  Henry,  on  the  Tennessee  Eiver,  and  Fort  Donelson,  on 
the  Cumberland.  This  strategy  was  successful,  it  prevented 
Johnston  from  sending  reinforcements  to  Crittenden,  leaving 
him  to  be  defeated  by  a far  superior  force  at  Mills  Springs. 
General  Smith’s  report  to  Halleck  of  his  reconnoissance  up 
the  Tennessee  Eiver  caused  Grant  to  urge  Halleck  to  allow 
him  to  make  a campaign  against  Forts  Henry  and  Donelson. 


68 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


By  order  of  Halleck  in  the  early  part  of  February,  1862, 
Gen.  U.  S.  Grant  and  Commodore  Andrew  H.  Foote  with 
a force  of  seven  gunboats  and  1Y,000  men  moved  up  the 
Tennessee  River.  On  the  4th  of  February  the  Federal  forces 
arrived  at  a place  three  miles  below  Fort  Henry;  and  on 
the  morning  of  February  6 Grant,  with  12,000  men,  moved 
up  the  east  bank  of  the  river,  while  General  Smith,  with  other 
troops,  made  ready  to  assault  Fort  Heiman  near  the  south- 
east edge  of  Calloway  County,  Ky.,  on  the  west  side  of  the 
river.  Commodore  Foote  was  to  attack  the  fort  from  the 
river. 

General  Loyd  Tilghman  had  very  cleverly  withdrawn  his 
forces  from  Fort  Heiman  and  sent  them  together  with  2500 
men  from  Fort  Henry  to  Fort  Donelson ; and,  in  order  to  make 
good  their  retreat,  had  remained  with  80  artillerists  at  Fort 
Hefiry,  which  was  badly  situated  and  was  rendered  almost 
ineffectual  by  the  high  water.  On  February  6,  at  1 p.  m.. 
Commodore  Foote  began  a vigorous  attack  on  Fort  Henry; 
and  after  it  had  lasted  two  hours  General  Tilghman  was 
forced  to  surrender.  The  Confederates  lost  20,  killed  and 
wounded,  and  60  were  taken  prisoners.  The  Federal  loss 
was  Y3,  killed  and  wounded. 

Fort  Donelson. — After  the  battle  of  Mills  Springs  Gen- 
eral A.  S.  Johnston  had  decided  to  move  south  of  the  Cum- 
berland, twelve  miles  from  Fort  Henry.  General  S.  B.  Buck- 
ner had  retired  with  troops  from  central  Kentucky,  after  the 
capture  of  Fort  Henry,  to  the  little  village  of  Dover.  Gen- 
eral Pillow  arrived  at  Fort  Donelson  on  February  9.  On 
February  13  General  Floyd,  senior  officer,  with  a brigade  of 
Virginians,  reached  the  fort  and  assumed  command.  Thus 
fortified  General  Johnston  had  detei-mined  to  fight  for  the 
defense  of  Kashville  and  the  whole  of  Tennessee.  The  for- 
tress,— as  was  often  the  case  with  those  of  the  Confederates, — 
covered  too  large  an  area  for  the  niimher  of  troops  avail- 
able to  hold  it.  General  Johnston  made  the  mistake  of 


MILLS  SPEIUGS  ALT)  FOET  DONELSOLT  69 


not  being  present  in  person  to  encourage  and  command  this 
critical  point,  instead  of  leaving  it  to  less  experienced  officers. 
The  fort  guarded  the  river  effectually  but  was  in  turn 
commanded  in  the  rear  by  an  elevation  somewhat  higher  than 
the  fort. 

The  day  folloAving  the  capture  of  Fort  Henry,  General 
Grant,  with  his  staff  and  a few  companies  of  cavalry,  recon- 
noitered  to  within  a mile  of  Fort  Donelson,  and  outlined  his 
method  of  approach.  By  noon  of  February  12  he  had 
marched  15,000  men  from  Fort  Henry,  under  McClernand 
and  Smith,  and  had  left  General  Lew  Wallace  temporarily 
at  Fort  Henry  and  Fort  Heiman.  Commodore  Foote  had 
been  sent  around  to  come  up  the  Cumberland. 

McClernand  was  placed  on  the  right  wing  and  Smith 
formed  the  left,  covering  the  ridge  opposite  the  fort. 

Fort  Donelson  consisted  of  fortifications  extending  two 
miles  along  the  river,  supplied  with  one  32  pound  rifled  gun 
and  one  8 inch  gun;  32  eight-pounders  and  33  two-pounders. 
A strong  fort  commanded  the  river,  and  a line  of  rifle-pits 
extended  up-stream  one  mile  to  a slough.  Hickman  Creek 
on  the  dovm-stream  side  ran  hack  of  the  fort,  which  prevented 
a force  from  moving  up  the  bank  of  the  stream  to  make  an 
attack ; beyond  the  rifle-pit  was  the  higher  ridge,  which 
Grant’s  quick  eye  discovered  would  make  the  fort  almost  un- 
tenable, if  heavy  artillery  was  placed  on  it. 

Grant  did  not  wait  for  Foote  to  arrive  with  his  boats  but 
attacked  at  11  a.  m.,  February  13.  However,  the  gun-boat 
Carondelet,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Walke,  had  ar- 
rived in  the  early  hours  of  the  13th  and  had  tired  a few 
shots  against  the  lower  forts;  but  they  were  without  effect. 
Colonel  Morrison’s  brigade  was  ordered  by  McClernand  to 
begin  the  attack ; but  was  severely  repulsed.  The  Federal  in- 
fantry was  badly  beaten  on  the  afternoon  of  the  13th  and  was 
much  dispirited,  while  the  Confederates  were  victorious  and 
hopeful.  The  fearful  cold  and  exposure  during  the  fight  at 


70 


HISTOET  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


Fort  Donelson  was  responsible  for  tbe  death  of  many  a soldier. 
Ho  truce  was  allowed,  and  many  of  the  wounded  were  frozen 
to  death.  During  the  night  of  the  13th  the  Confederates 
were  much  harassed  by  the  Federal  sharpshooters;  and 
that  same  night  Foote  arrived  with  5 gun-boats,  and  6 
full  regiments  of  Thayer’s  brigade  on  transports.  General 
Lew  Wallace  arrived  in  the  early  morning  of  the  14th  from 
Fort  Henry,  with  the  2000  soldiers  who  had  been  left  there. 

Grant  now  had  an  anny  of  23,000  men,  besides  the  forces 
on  the  gun-boats.  He  now  made  a third  division  to  be  placed 
under  the  command  of  Gen.  Lew  Wallace.  This  division 
was  to  form  the  center  in  order  to  hold  the  Confederates 
while  the  fleet  attacked  the  forts  from  the  river  and  made  a 
junction  with  McClernand’s  right  wing.  At  2 :30  p.  m., 
February  14,  Foote  with  6 gun-boats  and  46  guns,  began  his 
attack  on  the  river  forts.  The  flag-ship  St.  Louis  was  badly 
damaged  early  in  the  action  and  Commodore  Foote  was  se- 
verely wounded.  The  Confederate  fire  was  very  destructive, 
all  the  Federal  vessels  were  more  or  less  injured  and  the  gun- 
boats were  forced  to  retire  down-stream  with  54  killed  and 
wounded  men.  There  had  been  no  one  killed  in  the  Confed- 
erate batteries,  nor  were  any  seriously  injured. 

The  two  days’  fight  had  been  favorable  to  the  Confederates, 
yet  their  sufferings  from  the  cold  had  been  fearful,  for  the 
thermometer  had  been  10  degrees  above  zero.  Their  casual- 
ties had  not  been  as  great  as  those  of  the  Federals,  but  Grant 
was  constantly  receiving  large  reinforcements,  and  his  army 
now  consisted  of  fully  27,000  soldiers,  besides  Foote’s  com- 
mand, whereas  the  Confederates  had  scarcely  13,000  effective 
men. 

The  night  of  February  14  General  Floyd  held  a council  of 
war,  where  the  plan  devised  for  the  early  morning  was  for 
General  Pillow  to  attack  McClernand  on  the  Federal  right 
and  S.  B.  Buckner  to  attack  the  left  and  center  of  the  Federal 
army  along  the  Wynn  Eoad  Ferry.  On  the  morning  of 
February  15,  after  a fearful  and  stubborn  fight,  the  right  of 


MILLS  SPEINGS  AKD  FOKT  DOEELSON  71 


the  Federal  army  fell  back  to  Wynn  Eoad  Ferry,  The  Con- 
federate attack  had  been  successful  all  along  the  line.  The 
Wynn  Road  was  opened.  Forrest’s  cavalry  had  charged  on 
the  right,  and  Pillow’s  division  had  forced  McClernand’s 
command  to  retreat  in  confusion.  It  seemed  as  if  the  crisis 
of  the  stubborn  conflict  had  come  and  that  victory  was  only 
waiting  for  the  Confederates  to  seize  it,  but  as  often  hap- 
pened during  the  dreadful  years  of  the  Civil  War,  for  lack 
of  coordinated  action,  a blunder,  or  the  absence  of  some 
strong  commanding  spirit  ready  to  seize  the  opportunity,  the 
golden  moments  were  lost.  Buckner  instead  of  being  urged 
to  follow  up  his  success  had  been  ordered  back  to  his  intrench- 
ments  by  General  Pillow,  who  at  the  critical  period  failed  to 
measure  up  to  the  standard  of  a wise,  farseeing  commander. 
The  hesitation  was  fatal. 

General  Grant,  who  had  been  five  miles  down  the  river  to 
see  the  wounded  Foote,  on  returning  was  met  by  the  confused 
and  disordered  troops  of  McClemand,  whom  he  urged  back 
into  line.  Grant  was  evidently  very  anxious  and  sent  a 
despatch  to  Foote  for  aid.  He  now  ordered  General  Smith 
to  assault  and,  if  possible,  carry  the  works  vacated  by  Buck- 
ner on  following  up  his  success.  Smith’s  troops,  with  great 
persistency  and  courage,  carried  out  the  order  of  their  leader 
successfully ; and  what  had  seemed  to  be  a Confederate  vic- 
tory was  turned  into  a severe  defeat,  partially  due  to  the 
blunder  of  the  Confederate  commander  but  mainly  to  the 
foresight  and  timely  presence  of  General  Grant. 

The  Confederates  had  fought  as  bravely  and  heroically  as 
was  possible  for  men  to  do ; but  the  artillery  of  Smith  com- 
manded the  Confederate  position,  which  was  now  untenable. 
The  night  of  February  15  closed  over  the  Confederate  army 
with  a choice  of  three  alternatives : to  be  slaughtered,  to  sur- 
render, or  to  make  an  attempt  to  escape  in  the  darkness.  At 
midnight  a council  was  held  between  Generals  Pillow,  Floyd, 
and  Buckner.  In  the  midst  of  their  discussion  the  indomit- 


72 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


able  Forrest,  returning  from  an  inspection  tour,  appeared 
among  them  and  reported  that  he  considered  it  possible  for  a 
great  part  of  the  army  to  escape.  The  command  was  tnrned 
over  to  General  Buckner.  General  Floyd  and  General  Pillow, 
with  a portion  of  their  command,  escaped  on  two  small  steam- 
ers to  Hashville;  for  they  considered  it  probable  that  they 
would  be  hanged  if  they  were  captured,  as  they  had  been 
United  States  public  officers  before  the  beginning  of  hostilities. 
General  Forrest  returned  to  his  hardy  soldiers,  and  by  fording 
the  backwaters  of  the  slough,  escaped  with  nearly  a thousand 
men  to  join  A.  S.  Johnston.  They  always  claimed  that  a 
great  part  of  the  army  could  have  done  the  same,  if  the  senior 
officer  had  made  the  effort.  In  the  morning  Buckner  raised  a 
flag  of  truce  and  opened  parley  with  Grant,  whose  ultimatum 
was  Unconditional  Surrender.” 

This  was  truly  a very  great  disaster  for  the  Confederates. 
They  had  engaged  14,850  men;  there  were  killed  and 
wounded  in  the  three  days’  fight  2000  men,  1134  of  whom 
had  been  sent  out  of  the  lines.  From  800  to  1000  men  had 
followed  Forrest  and  nearly  1000  went  with  Pillow  and  Floyd 
up  the  river  on  that  dreadful  night  or  escaped  in  some  other 
way.  Forty  guns  and  11,916  prisoners  fell  into  the  hands  of 
the  Federals. 

The  victory  of  the  Federals  was  dearly  purchased,  for  they 
lost  500  killed,  2152  wounded,  and  224  missing. 

Eesults : A.  S.  Johnston  had  ordered  the  evacuation  of 
Bowling  Green  while  the  fight  was  going  on  at  Fort  Donelson, 
and,  on  hearing  of  the  loss  of  Fort  Donelson,  his  troops  passed 
through  Hashville  to  Murfreesboro,  where  he  was  joined  by 
Crittenden.  Here  he  remained  a few  weeks  collecting  the  fu- 
gitives from  Fort  Donelson  and  FTashville,  which  places  were 
occupied  by  the  Federals.  By  the  middle  of  March  he  had  an 
army  of  17,000  men.  He  then  moved  over  the  Memphis  & 
Charleston  Eailroad  to  join  Beauregard;  and  the  two  generals 
were  later  joined  by  General  Polk,  who  had  been  forced  to 


MILLS  SPEINGS  AND  FOET  DONELSON  73 


evacuate  Columbus  because  of  tbe  Confederate  defeat  at  Fort 
Donelson.  Half  of  bis  forces  bad  been  retained  to  fortify 
Island  No.  10, — 45  miles  south  of  Columbus, — which  was  at 
first  under  the  supervision  of  General  Beauregard. 

An  unpleasant  controversy  between  Grant,  Halleck,  and 
Buell  retarded  to  some  extent  the  Federals  from  following 
up  their  victory  at  Fort  Donelson.  By  an  order  of  McClellan, 
Buell  on  Fehruary  15  moved  toward  Nashville.  Halleck 
was  Grant’s  superior,  but  the  latter  after  the  capture  of 
the  fort  had  sent  General  C.  F.  Smith  to  occupy  Clarksville. 
Nelson,  by  General  McClellan’s  orders  to  Buell,  was  sent  to 
reinforce  Grant  at  Fort  Donelson ; but  as  Grant  had  no  need  of 
more  troops  he  ordered  Nelson  (February  23)  up  the  river 
to  form  a jimction  with  Buell.  They  landed  on  the  south 
hank  and  occupied  the  city  much  to  the  trepidation  of  Buell, 
who  feared  that  Johnston  would  retum  and  annihilate  him. 
Grant  had  previously  written  to  Halleck  for  orders  but  re- 
ceiving none  had  gone  to  Nashville,  and  according  to  envious 
and  slanderous  reports,  neglected  his  command  by  getting 
drunk ; for  which  lack  of  respect  for  his  superiors,  he  was  re- 
leased from  his  command  hy  Halleck, — Gen.  C.  F.  Smith  be- 
ing placed  above  him. 

The  army  had  hy  March  9 returned  to  Fort  Henry.  Smith 
had  selected  Pittsburg  Landing, — a place  about  20  miles  from 
Corinth,  Miss., — as  their  basis  of  operations.  Some  25,000 
troops  were  now  ordered  up  the  Tennessee  Eiver.  Smith, 
who  was  an  active,  capable  soldier,  established  headquarters 
at  Savannah,  and  concentrated  several  divisions  at  Pittsburg 
Landing  under  Sherman,  McClernand,  and  Hurlbut.  Gen- 
eral Lew  Wallace  was  stationed  at  Crump’s  Landing,  four 
miles  above  Savannah,  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Tennessee,  to 
protect  the  Purdy  Eoad. 

On  the  22d  of  February,  1862,  the  second  inauguration  of 
President  Davis  took  place  at  Eichmond.  The  fall  of  Fort 
Donelson  had  produced  a feeling  of  gloom  in  the  capital,  and 


74 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


the  day  itself  was  remarhahle  for  its  extraordinarily  dismal 
appearance  and  for  the  torrents  of  rain  that  fell.  The  Presi- 
dent did  not  minimize  the  great  obstacles  the  South  would 
have  to  overcome  in  order  to  become  a separate  and  distinct 
nation. 

On  April  16,  1862,  the  leader  of  the  Confederacy  consid- 
ered it  wise  to  put  into  effect  the  conscript  law. 


CHAPTEK  IX 


SHILOH 

A few  days  after  the  appointment  of  General  Smith  to 
the  command  of  the  army  that  had  captured  Fort  Donelson, 
General  Grant  was  exonerated  of  the  charge  prefen’ed 
against  him.  On  March  17  Grant  reached  Savannah  on  the 
Tennessee  and  assumed  command  of  all  the  forces  on  the 
river,  having  under  his  command  40,000  men. 

Buell  had  been  ordered  to  proceed  from  Nashville,  to  form 
a junction  with  Grant  on  the  Tennessee,  hut  fear  of  an  attack 
by  A.  S.  Johnston  and  swollen  streams  caused  him  to  delay. 
His  aimy  would  have  given  Grant  the  enormous  force  of 
65,000  effective  men.  Buell  lingered  until  March  30  at  Co- 
lumbia, 50  miles  south  of  Nashville  and  75  miles  from 
Savannah.  Nelson  at  length  became  impatient  of  Buell’s 
delay,  and  hastened  to  join  Grant,  pushing  his  division  rap- 
idly forward  before  the  main  army  moved;  which  accounts 
for  his  arrival  on  the  first  day  of  the  battle  of  Shiloh. 

Gen.  A.  S.  Johnston  had  been  severely  and  unjustly 
criticised  for  the  defeat  at  Fort  Donelson  and  for  his  evacu- 
ation of  Tennessee  and  was  very  eager  to  crush  Grant  before 
he  could  be  reinforced.  He  arrived  at  Corinth,  Miss.,  on 
March  23  and  assumed  full  command  of  all  the  Confederate 
forces  in  this  vicinity  on  March  29,  with  Beauregard  as  sec- 
ond in  command,  and  Gen.  Braxton  Bragg,  chief  of  staff. 

Beauregard  had  drawn  up  a plan  of  battle,  which  was  ap- 
proved by  Johnston,  his  commanding  officer.  He  de- 
termined at  once  to  attack  the  Federal  army  at  Pittsburg 
Landing  before  Buell  could  come  to  Grant’s  aid.  The 
Federals,  though  aware  of  the  near  presence  of  the  Con- 

76 


76 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


federate  forces,  did  not  anticipate  the  fearful  ordeal  they 
were  to  undergo.  The  division  of  Sherman  was  stationed  on 
the  right  of  the  Federals  and  that  of  Prentiss  on  the  left, 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  Shiloh  log  church,  about  one  mile  in 
advance  of  MeClernand,  Hurlhut,  W.  H.  L.  Wallace,  and 
Smith,  who  were  near  Pittsburg  Landing.  Lew  Wallace 
with  7000  men  was  at  Crump  Landing  five  miles  down  the 
river.  Sherman’s  forces  rested  on  Owl  Creek,  and  Prentiss’ 
forces  extended  to  Lick  Creek.  These  creeks  were  about  three 
miles  apart,  intersected  by  a small  plateau  and  the  roads  that 
extended  from  Pittsburg  Landing  to  Corinth,  from  Hamburg 
Landing  to  Corinth,  and  one  to  Purdy,  a Tennessee  town, 
just  north  of  Corinth.  A road  also  extended  from  Pittsburg 
Landing  to  Crump’s  Landing  and  westward  across  Snake 
Eiver, — about  one  mile  from  the  Tennessee  Eiver. 

The  Battle. — On  the  morning  of  April  4 Johnston  or- 
dered his  anny  to  begin  the  march  from  Corinth,  which  was 
twenty  miles  from  Pittsburg  Landing.  He  fully  expected  to 
reach  the  field  of  action  in  one  day  in  order  to  make  the  attack 
on  the  morning  of  April  5 ; but  the  roads  were  so  heavy  from 
rain  that  the  movement  of  the  army  was  slow.  It  was  late 
in  the  afternoon  of  April  5 before  his  forces  arrived  at  the 
intersection  of  the  Pittsburg  Landing  and  Hamburg  Eoads, 
where  he  proposed  to  deploy  his  troops.  His  army  consisted 
of  40,335  infantry,  artillery,  and  cavalry,  in  three  lines  of 
battle,  under  General  Hardee,  and  General  Bragg,  supported 
by  Generals  Polk  and  Breckinridge.  It  was  decided  to  begin 
the  attack  as  early  as  possible  on  the  following  morning. 

In  the  early  morning  hours  of  Sunday,  April  6,  1862, 
Johnston  ordered  his  first  line  to  make  rapid  advance.  A 
musketry  fire  was  opened  upon  them  by  the  advance  forces  of 
the  Federals.  The  impetuous  charge  of  the  Confederates 
drove  the  Federal  battalions  before  them  into  the  angle  be- 
tween Snake  Creek  and  Pittsburg  Landing,  and  by  10  :30 
a.  m.  the  fearful  and  deadly  conflict  raged  all  along  the  line. 


SHILOH 


77 


The  Federal  left  wing  had  suffered  severely,  many  guns  and 
prisoners  had  been  captured,  while  General  Prentiss’  division 
had  been  cut  to  pieces  and  he  himself  captured.  Sherman 
on  the  Federal  right  bravely  tried  to  check  the  enthusiastic 
onrush  of  the  victorious  Confederates.  The  army  was  saved 
from  total  annihilation  by  his  skill  and  pluck,  to  a greater  ex- 
tent than  by  that  of  any  other  Federal  general.  His  obstinate 
resistance  and  quick  judgment  delayed  the  Confederate  ad- 
vance on  the  Federals’  right.  This  delay  was  one  feature 
that  prevented  a successful  termination  of  the  first  day’s 
battle  for  the  Confederates. 

The  irreparable  loss  to  the  Confederates  of  their  general, 
A.  S.  Johnston,  at  two  o’clock,  helped  to  turn  the  tide  of 
events  and  possibly  saved  the  Federal  army  from  a complete 
overthrow.  As  Johnston  was  leading  his  army  to  victory  in 
advance  of  Breckinridge’s  and  Bowen’s  forces,  he  was  struck 
by  a minie  ball  in  the  calf  of  the  leg.  He  did  not  at 
first  realize  the  seriousness  of  the  wound  and  neglected  it 
for  a few  moments  until  he  felt  great  faintness.  The  bullet 
had  cut  an  artery,  the  loss  of  blood  causing  his  death  in  a very 
short  time. 

The  news  of  Johnston’s  death  was  kept  from  the  Confed- 
erates for  a short  time.  General  Beauregard  now  assumed 
full  command.  The  Federal  division  of  W.  H.  L.  Wallace 
was  next  shattered  and  he  himself  was  killed. 

Late  in  the  evening  of  this  eventful  day  the  Unionists 
were  terrified.  Thousands  of  them  were  huddled  under  the 
banks  of  the  Tennessee  River  at  Pittsburg  Landing;  all 
organization  was  gone,  and  it  seemed  as  if  their  complete 
destruction  could  have  been  accomplished  had  there  been 
one  grand  united  effort  on  the  part  of  the  Confederate  forces. 

General  Bragg  was  to  make  the  final  charge  on  the  Fed- 
erals’ left ; but  fortune  seemed  to  say,  “ Thus  far  thou  shalt 
go  and  no  farther.”  At  this  critical  period,  under  the  glid- 
ing hand  of  Grant,  Webster’s  battery  had  been  placed  in 


78 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


a commanding  position  on  the  heights  that  were  just  above 
the  Landing  and  overlooking  the  ravine  and  slope  up  which 
Bragg  had  to  come.  The  well-directed  batteries,  with  the 
timely  support  of  two  gunboats  and  one  of  Helson’s  brigades, 
caused  a temporary  halt  in  the  line  of  the  charging  Confeder- 
ates, who  now  fell  back  into  the  ravine  to  reform.  The  gun- 
boat fire  was  causing  more  noise  than  damage,  as  the  shots 
were  passing  over  the  Confederates.  Night  was  falling  fast, 
the  Confederates  were  exhausted  from  their  previous  day’s 
march  and  twelve  hours  of  hard  fighting.  The  soldiers,  ex- 
cited by  their  enoimious  booty,  were  beginning  to  become  dis- 
organized. General  Beauregard  thought  that  Buell  could 
not  reach  Grant  until  the  next  day.  This  was  the  great 
mistake  of  his  military  career,  and  was  so  considered 
by  many  Confederate  officers  and  privates  who  were  in  the 
battle.  Many  Eederals  who  were  present  at  Shiloh  regarded 
the  action  of  Beaiiregard  as  the  cause  of  their  success.  It  is, 
however,  a question  that  will  never  be  settled.  It  looks  as  if 
the  guiding  hand  of  providence  or  the  lack  of  a masterfiil 
military  genius  at  the  helm  caused  the  Confederates  to  lose 
several  golden  opportunities  of  this  character  during  the  great 
war. 

The  night  of  April  5 was  wild  and  stormy,  but  that  his- 
toric Sunday  morning,  April  6,  1862,  dawned  bright  and 
clear.  The  night  after  the  first  day’s  battle  was  chilly ; and  a 
drizzling  rain  was  again  falling,  as  if  nature  were  sorrowful 
over  the  woes  of  mankind.  During  the  night  Buell  was  trans- 
porting 24,000  fresh  troops  to  the  relief  of  Grant.  Wallace 
with  his  7000  men  reached  the  field  soon  after  nightfall.  The 
Eederals  were  busy  reorganizing  their  forces;  while  the 
Confederates,  disturbed  by  the  gunboats,  felt  considerable 
uncertainty  as  to  their  victory,  for  they  had  no  fresh  troops 
to  aid  them  on  the  morrow.  Beauregard  on  the  morning 
of  April  7 had  only  30,000  efFective  troops,  who  had  all 
fought  the  previous  day.  Grant  and  Buell  had  a great  army 


SHILOH 


79 


of  58,000  effective  men, — practically  double  the  force  of 
the  Confederates, — half  of  whom  were  fresh  troops. 

Helson  opened  the  battle  early  on  the  morning  of  April  7, 
but  was  repulsed.  From  then  on  the  whole  Confederate 
army  was  gradually  forced  back  by  the  largely  superior  Union 
forces. 

The  Confederate  retreat  began  slowly  and  in  perfect  order 
at  2 p.  m.  The  gallant  Breckinridge  had  been  commissioned 
by  Beauregard  to  act  as  rear  guard,  and  with  the  intrepid 
cavalry  leader  Gen.  H.  B.  Forrest,  he  was  wonderfully  suc- 
cessful. The  night  of  April  7 the  Confederates  rested 
practically  on  the  same  ground  they  had  occupied  April 
5.  Ho  pursuit  of  importance  was  made  hy  the  Federals; 
and  Beauregard  retired  leisurely  to  Corinth  on  the  8th, — - 
an  act  that  redounded  greatly  to  his  military  fame.  The 
losses  on  both  sides  were  fearful.  The  Confederate  loss 
was  1723  killed,  8012  woimded,  959  missing;  a total  of 
10,694.  The  Federals  claimed  Shiloh  as  a victory,  but  it 
was  purchased  at  the  fearful  price  of  1513  killed,  6601 
wounded,  and  2830  missing  in  Grant’s  army;  and  241  killed, 
1807  wounded,  and  2158  missing  in  Buell’s;  a grand  total 
of  13,047. 

The  results  of  Shiloh.  General  Grant  fails  to  follow 
up  his  advantage. — The  loss  of  A.  S.  J ohnston  was  a great 
blow  to  the  Confederate  cause  in  the  West,  for  he  ranked 
among  the  greatest  of  the  military  leaders  of  America. 
President  Davis  paid  a beautiful  tribute  to  his  memory ; and 
on  his  burial  at  Hew  Orleans  the  city  was  wrapped  in  grief. 

Fort  Pillow  on  the  Mississippi  River  was  evacuated  and 
Memphis  was  forced  to  surrender  to  Captain  Davis.  The 
great  river  was  now  opened  to  Vicksburg.  The  Federals  had 
accomplished  this  with  a force  averaging  three  to  one.  In  a 
week  after  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  Beamegard  was  joined  at 
Corinth  by  Van  Dom  and  Price,  who  had  come  from  Missouri 
after  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge. 


CHAPTEE  X 


CAMPAIGN  OF  ’62  IN  MISSOURI 

In  the  later  part  of  the  year  1861  we  left  Price  recruit- 
ing and  organizing  his  forces  at  Springfield  in  southwest 
Missouri,  while  McCulloch  had  retired  to  the  northwest  part 
of  Arkansas.  The  Federals  under  Gen.  S.  K.  Curtis 
were  encamped  at  Eolla.  On  January  26,  with  12,000  men, 
he  advanced  toward  Springfield.  Price,  with  about  10,000 
men,  retired  to  the  Boston  Mountains,  on  the  southwest  bor- 
der of  Missouri  and  in  the  northwest  corner  of  Arkansas. 

In  this  vicinity  he  was  joined  by  McCulloch,  McIntosh,  and 
a brigade  of  Indians  under  Albert  Pike. 

On  March  3,  Gen.  Earl  Van  Dora, — a capable  and 
energetic  man,  sent  by  President  Davis, — arrived  and  as-  j 
sumed  command  of  the  entire  forces  of  the  Confederates  in  ! 

the  Boston  Mountains.  He  decided  as  soon  as  possible  to  j 

attack  Curtis,  who  had  pursued  Price  as  far  as  Eayetteville,  j 
thirty  miles  south  of  the  Missouri  line.  But  for  protection  j 
Curtis  had  retreated  to  Pea  Kidge, — a series  of  large  hills,  | 

cut  from  east  to  west  by  ravines.  The  south  ravine  was  i 

known  as  Cross  Hollow,  the  middle  as  Sugar  Creek  Valley,  j 
and  the  northern  as  Cross  Timber  Hollow.  All  these  ravines  | 
ran  parallel  and  were  crossed  at  right  angles  by  the  road 
extending  from  Springfield  to  Elk  Horn  Tavern,  which  was 
situated  where  the  road  crossed  the  upper  ravine.  On  March 
6 Curtis  joined  Sigel,  and  then  occupied  the  ridge  between 
the  two  upper  ravines  with  his  line  facing  south,  with  the 
extreme  right  flank  of  his  army  extending  to  Leetown,  and 

the  left  to  Mottville.  During  the  night  of  March  6 the  Con- 

80 


CAMPAIGiT  OF  ’62  IN  MISSOUEI 


81 


federates  had  moved  up  the  road  from  Bentonville  and  were 
coming  in  on  Curtis’s  rear,  threatening  to  cut  off  his  com- 
munication with  Springfield.  This  forced  Curtis  to  change 
front ; and  on  April  7 he  fought  the  battle  in  that  position. 

Battle  of  Pea  Ridge. — General  Price  commanded  the 
left  wing  and  McCulloch  the  right.  The  Federal  forces  were 
repulsed  on  the  7th  and  would  have  been  forced  to  surrender 
had  not  McCulloch  and  McIntosh  both  been  killed  on  the 
very  verge  of  victory.  Van  Dom  and  Price  pushed  back 
the  Federal  right  fiank;  but  the  lack  of  proper  discipline  in 
their  forces  prevented  them  from  gaining  a great  victory. 
The  Confederates  were  excited  by  their  success  and  plunder- 
ing was  difiicult  to  control.  V an  Dorn  now  ordered  the  sick 
to  be  carried  to  the  rear  and  began  a retreat.  The  Federals 
at  the  close  of  day  were  in  a very  precarious  situation,  for 
their  line  of  retreat  to  Springfield  was  held  by  Van  Dom. 
It  was  to  be  a severe  fight  or  a surrender. 

During  the  morning  of  the  8th  Sigel  attacked  the  right 
flank  of  the  Confederates;  Van  Dom  gave  the  order  to  fall 
back,  and  the  main  army  moved  northward;  Sigel  followed 
for  a short  distance.  Curtis  had  saved  his  ainny  from  an 
overwhelming  defeat,  but  at  a terrible  loss  of  life, — a loss 
that  amounted  to  1500,  killed,  wounded,  and  missing.  He 
had  10,500  men  engaged  and  19  cannons. 

Van  Dom  had  11,000  men  engaged,  but  part  of  them  were 
undisciplined  Indians,  unused  to  artillery.  The  Confederate 
loss  was  reported  by  Van  Dorn  to  have  been  600,  killed  and 
wounded. 

The  battle  of  Pea  Ridge  closed  for  a long  time  the  warfare 
in  Missouri.  The  Confederate  forces  were  very  badly  needed 
by  Beauregard  and  Bragg  at  Corinth, 

Curtis  was  given  great  credit  for  resourcefulness  in  his 
conduct  of  the  Missouri  Campaign.  Though  he  did  not  pur- 
sue Van  Dorn’s  forces,  yet  later  he  followed  Price  almost  to 
Helena,  Ark.  General  Schofield  was  now  placed  in  com- 


82 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


mand  of  the  Department  of  Missouri,  and  most  of  the  Con- 
federate troops  having  joined  Beauregard,  comparative  peace 
was  established  over  the  State. 

One  of  the  features  concerning  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge  for 
which  the  Confederates  were  greatly  censured  was  that  they 
employed  some  5000  Indians  under  Col.  Albert  Pike,  a 
former  Boston  man.  It  was  claimed  by  the  Federals  that 
these  Indians  resorted  to  their  former  savagery  and  had 
scalped  the  dead.  But  the  counter-charge  was  made  by  the 
Confederates  that  it  was  perfectly  excusable  for  them  to  use 
these  people,  if  the  Federals  incited  the  slaves  to  take  up 
arms  against  their  former  masters.  This  is  one  of  the  sad 
features  of  the  war.  However,  it  was  the  last  time  that  In- 
dian warriors  were  used  by  either  side  in  regular  warfare. 

New  Madrid  and  Island  No.  10. — At  the  time  the  battle 
of  Shiloh  was  being  fought  important  events  were  also  taking 
place  on  the  Mississippi  River  at  Hew  Madrid,  Mo.,  and 
Island  Ho.  10.  The  Island  was  about  45  miles  below  Colum- 
bus, Ky.,  and  had  been  fortified  by  Beauregard  and  McCown 
after  the  evacuation  of  Columbus.  McCown  reached  the 
Island  February  24,  with  a force  of  5000  effective  men  and 
5 wooden  boats  commanded  by  Commodore  Hollins.  The 
Mississippi  River  at  this  place  makes  a great  loop,  with 
Island  Ho.  10  situated  at  the  southern  end  of  the  loop.  Hew 
Madrid  is  12  miles  distant  and  situated  at  the  northern 
end  of  the  loop.  From  Hew  Madrid  to  Tiptonville  is  16 
miles.  To  Tiptonville  by  the  road  from  Island  Ho.  10  is  4 
miles,  and  across  the  land  at  the  upper  neck  is  only  two 
and  one-fourth  miles.  Lying  eastward  and  southward  of 
Island  Ho.  10  was  swampy  ground  and  there  were  practically 
only  two  ways  leading  from  it;  by  the  river  oi*  the  road  to 
Tiptonville,  Tenn.  At  Hew  Madrid  the  Confederates  had 
established  Fort  Thompson,  with  14  guns,  and  just  above 
this  place,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Bayou  St.  John,  was  con- 
structed Fort  Bankhead. 


CAMPAIGN  OF  ’62  m MISSOURI 


83 


By  March  1 the  Confederates  had  also  established  on 
Island  Uo.  10,  five  batteries  of  12  guns  each  and  others  on 
the  Tennessee  shore,  120  gains  in  all.  There  was  one  feature 
that  they  seemed  to  have  failed  to  take  into  consideration, — 
a lesson  which  should  have  been  taught  them  by  the  experi- 
ence at  Fort  Henry.  The  great  floods  of  the  winter  season 
often  rendered  fortresses  that  had  been  considered  impregnable 
of  no  avail. 

General  Pope,  who  was  at  Cairo  after  the  fall  of  Fort 
Donelson,  had  been  ordered  to  advance  against  these  forces. 
He  marched  from  Commerce  on  the  Missouri  side  and  on 
March  3 appeared  with  his  whole  force  in  front  of  Hew 
Madrid,  which  he  found  had  been  fortified  by  McCown. 
IMiile  Pope  waited  for  siege-gims  he  took  possession  of  Point 
Pleasant,  twelve  miles  below.  On  March  12  the  siege-guns 
were  placed  in  position  and  he  opened  fire  on  Hew  Madrid 
the  morning  of  March  13, — a fire  which  continued  all  that 
day. 

The  night  following  was  a fearful  one  to  attempt  a retreat 
by  the  river.  The  rain  fell  in  torrents,  accompanied  by 
heavy  wind  and  lightning.  The  Confederate  commander 
ordered  his  heavy  guns  spiked;  but  he  safely  carried  the 
greater  part  of  his  provisions  and  ammunition  on  the  trans- 
ports to  Island  Ho.  10.  Pope  had  lost  60  men  at  Hew 
Madrid.  He  now,  with  the  assistance  of  Commodore  Foote, 
proceeded  to  capture  Island  Ho.  10.  About  10  a,  m.,  March 
17,  he  ordered  an  attack  on  Ruckers  Bar,  situated  on  the 
Tennessee  shore  one  mile  above  the  Island.  The  attack  was 
made  by  five  gunboats  and  it  lasted  nine  hours.  The  boats 
finally  withdrew,  after  having  disabled  three  guns  out  of 
five.  It  had  been  a terrible  ordeal  for  the  Confederates,  as 
they  had  manned  their  guns  standing  knee-deep  in  mud  and 
water. 

On  the  night  of  March  17  General  McCown,  by  order  of 
General  Beauregard,  left  Island  Ho.  10  with  six  regiments; 


84 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


•whicli  were  sent  to  reinforce  the  army  at  Corinth.  But  on  the 
19th  McCown  in  person  returned  to  the  Island  to  assiune  com- 
mand. 

The  Federals  continued  to  shell  the  Island  at  long  range 
until  March  30.  McCown  had  been  building  canoes  and 
flatboats  in  order  to  afford  means  of  retreat  for  his  men  across 
Eeelfoot  Lake.  On  April  1 General  McCown  was  relieved 
of  command  by  General  Mackall.  For  the  greater  part  of 
two  weeks  the  Federals, — under  the  skillful  engineer,  Gen. 
Schuyler  Hamilton, — had  been  preparing  a huge  canal 
across  the  peninsula  formed  by  the  upper  bend  of  the  great 
loop.  This  was  covered  by  backwater;  and  by  cutting  the 
trees  and  clearing  out  the  stumps  it  made  a navigable  channel 
to  Hew  Madrid,  without  having  to  pass  Island  Ho.  10.  Pope 
had  great  need  of  the  transports,  which  were  above  the  Island, 
to  convey  his  troops  from  Point  Pleasant  to  the  Tennessee 
shore,  in  order  to  hold  the  Tiptonville  Eoad  and  prevent  the 
Confederate  retreat. 

On  the  night  of  April  4 Captain  Walke,  of  the  gunboat 
Carondelet,  passed  Island  Ho.  10  while  a heavy  rain  and 
thunderstorm  was  in  progress.  By  the  middle  of  the  night, 
April  7,  nearly  all  the  transports  had  passed  through  the  canal 
and  crossed  over  to  the  Tennessee  shore  in  front  of  the  Tipton- 
ville Eoad,  thus  cutting  off  the  Confederate  retreat  from 
Island  Ho.  10.  The  Confederates  were  unable  to  utilize  their 
flatboats  and  canoes  across  the  Eeelfoot  Lake.  After  a short 
resistance  General  Mackall  was  forced  to  surrender  several 
thousand  small  arms,  123  cannons,  6600  men  and  a large 
quantity  of  provisions  and  ammunition. 

Eesults : This  was  a great  and  bloodless  victory  for  the 
Federal  forces.  The  construction  of  the  canal  was  a great 
task;  but  it  was  the  real  key  to  the  situation,  for  it  allowed 
the  Federal  forces  to  be  landed  below  the  Island  on  the  Ten- 
nessee shore.  The  Confederates  had  fought  bravely,  but 
they  made  little  use  of  the  material  at  hand  to  effect  a retreat. 


CAMPAIGN  OF  ’62  IN  MISSOUEI 


85 


General  Pope’s  name  was  much  exalted  by  this  success  among 
his  friends  at  Washington, — a fact  that  was  responsible  for 
his  rapid  promotion.  The  Mississippi  Eiver  was  now  opened 
to  Fort  Pillow. 

After  Shiloh. — After  the  battle  of  Shiloh  Grant  again 
gained  the  ill  favor  of  General  Halleck.  It  had  been  reported 
that  Grant  on  that  occasion  had  allowed  his  army  to  be  sur- 
prised and  that  he  had  been  under  the  influence  of  drink. 

It  is  very  probable  that  Sherman  and  Grant  both  had  been 
taken  by  surprise,  for  on  the  5th  Sherman  had  reported  that 
he  “ did  not  apprehend  anything  like  an  attack.”  Grant 
was  at  Savannah  and  had  ordered  no  breastworks  to  be 
thrown  up  at  Pittsburg  Landing;  nor  did  he  display  any 
marked  military  ability  during  the  battle,  allowing  on  the 
second  day  a great  opportunity  to  pass  by  not  following  the 
25,000  worn  and  weary  Confederates.  He  had  a fresh  army 
of  almost  double  that  number,  but  gave  as  his  reason  for  not 
pursuing  the  retreating  forces  that  he  did  not  have  the  heart  to 
push  his  men  on  a campaign  after  the  severe  test  they  had 
just  gone  through. 

Soon  afterward  Halleck  assumed  chief  command  of  the 
army,  which  was  now  increased  by  Pope  and  others  to  100,000 
men.  Grant  was  left  second  in  command,  which  practically 
meant  no  active  position.  General  Thomas  was  to  command 
the  Army  of  Tennessee  on  the  right.  General  Buell  the  cen- 
ter, and  General  Pope  was  in  charge  of  the  left  wing,  or 
Army  of  Mississippi. 

Halleck’s  movements  were  slow  and  overcautious.  He 
moved  by  making  intrenchments  from  May  1 to  May  28, 
daily  expecting  Beauregard  with  60,000  men  to  pounce  upon 
him. 

On  the  night  of  May  30  the  Confederates  evacuated 
Corinth, — where  they  had  been  since  the  battle  of  Shiloh, — 
and  retreated  with  masterly  skill  to  Tupelo,  Miss.  Here 
they  selected  and  fortified  a good  position  so  as  to  protect 


86 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


the  southern  branch  of  the  Hew  Orleans  & Mobile  Railroad. 
General  Beauregard  had  fortified  Corinth,  had  held  Halleck 
in  check  with  an  army  half  as  strong,  and  had  retreated  to 
Tupelo,  outwitting  the  Federal  general  and  at  the  same  time 
saving  Mississippi  from  the  Federal  army. 

Pope  had  very  nearly  drawn  Beauregard  into  battle  on 
the  8th  of  July,  but  was  recalled  to  Corinth  by  Halleck.  In 
the  meantime  Mitchell  had  been  sent  to  Huntsville,  Ala., 
with  an  army  of  7000  men,  but  had  failed  to  capture  Chatta- 
nooga as  was  his  purpose.  He  was  finally  transferred  to 
South  Carolina,  where  later  he  died. 

Capture  of  Memphis,  Tenn. — The  withdrawal  of  Beau- 
regard from  Corinth  caused  the  fall  of  Fort  Pillow,  which  was 
evacuated  by  the  Confederates  on  June  4,  and  entered  by  the 
Federals  on  June  5.  The  Confederates  possessed  eight  ves- 
sels of  twenty  guns  each.  These,  commanded  by  Captain 
Montgomery,  were  situated  below  Fort  Pillow  and  near 
Memphis.  On  the  morning  of  June  6 the  Confederate  fleet 
moved  forward  to  encounter  the  Federal  fleet,  commanded  by 
Captain  Davis.  It  consisted  of  five  gun-boats  and  four  rams, 
besides  a number  of  mortar-boats  and  transports.  The  fight 
lasted  two  hours ; seven  out  of  eight  of  the  Confederate  boats 
were  disabled,  most  of  the  damage  being  accomplished  by  the 
rams.  The  Confederates  lost  in  killed  and  wounded  50, 
while  100  were  made  prisoners.  Everything  of  value  to  the 
Confederate  Government  had  been  removed  from  Memphis, 
which  was  occupied  by  Captain  Davis  after  12  a.  m.,  June  6, 
1862. 

Beauregard’s  troops  after  his  retreat  to  Tupelo  were  finally 
divided,  and  sent  to  different  points.  This  caused  the  di- 
vision of  General  Halleck’s  forces. 


CHAPTER  XI 


THE  EXPEHITIOlsr  AGAINST  NEW  ORLEANS 

While  General  Grant  was  making  preparation  for  his 
movements  np  the  Cumberland  River  and  the  Tennessee  River, 
the  military  authorities  at  Washington  were  preparing  to 
send  a powerful  naval  force  against  Xew  Orleans  in  the 
early  part  of  the  year  1862. 

The  Confederate  authorities  at  Richmond  were  no  doubt 
guilty  to  a great  extent  of  negligence  in  not  properly  pre- 
paring to  forestall  this  powerful  movement.  They  imagined 
the  city  to  be  impregnable,  made  so  by  the  two  powerful  forts 
situated  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  sixty  miles  be- 
low Xew  Orleans. 

Fort  Jackson  on  the  left  bank,  was  fortified  with  75  guns; 
Fort  St.  Philips  was  built  on  the  right  bank,  800  yards  up- 
stream, and  was  protected  by  53  guns.  This  fort  had  been 
constructed  in  the  shape  of  a star. 

Gen.  Mansfield  Lovell,  who  was  in  charge  of  the  at- 
tack, had  about  4000  effective  men.  He  had,  in  accordance 
with  orders  from  Richmond,  sent  several  thousand  men  to 
Beauregard  at  Corinth.  Gen.  J.  K.  Duncan  had  charge 
of  the  artillery  and  Cap.  J.  K.  Mitchell,  under  the  su- 
perior command  of  Commodore  Whipple,  had  nine  or  ten 
armed  vessels  in  the  Mississippi  River  above  the  forts.  One 
mile  below  the  forts  General  Lovell  had  constructed  a large 
raft  of  eleven  schooners  connected  by  heavy  chains,  which 
was  anchored  to  the  bank;  but  a great  storm  caused  a rent 
in  it,  making  it  unfit  for  use.  In  the  rear  of  the  city,  toward 
Lake  Pontchartrain,  fortifications  had  been  built. 

87 


88 


HISTOKY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


Farragut  had  been  placed  in  command  of  the  great  Fed- 
eral fleet  with  Porter  second  in  command.  The  combined 
forces  consisted  of  16  vessels,  300  cannons  and  mortars. 
Besides  the  immediate  fleet,  Gen.  B.  F.  Butler  had  arrived 
on  March  21  at  Ship  Island  with  a land  force  of  12,- 
000  Hew  Englanders.  The  mnd  in  the  river’s  mouth  and 
a shortage  of  coal  detained  Farragut  until  the  17th  of  April. 
On  the  morning  of  the  18th  he  appeared  in  front  of  the 
forts  and  began  a bombardment  which  lasted  flve  days  with- 
out doing  much  material  damage. 

The  raft  which  had  been  placed  in  the  river  by  the  Con- 
federates, had  been  effectually  opened  by  the  gunboats.  Gen- 
eral Duncan  on  April  23  reported  only  two  disabled  guns, 
and  six  killed  and  wounded  as  the  result  of  the  prolonged 
bombardment.  But  the  small  force  of  Confederate  defenders 
was  much  fatigued.  About  3 a.  m.,  April  24,  Farragut  or- 
dered a two-column  advance  up  the  great  river.  The  left 
column  of  nine  vessels,  commanded  by  Farragut  in  person, 
was  to  be  actively  engaged  with  Fort  Jackson,  and  the  right 
column,  under  Cap.  Theodore  Bailey,  and  consisting  of 
eight  vessels,  was  to  deal  with  Fort  St.  Philips. 

The  guns  of  the  forts  opened  a tremendous  Are  on  the 
fleet,  but  14  out  of  17  vessels  steamed  past  them,  and  at  day- 
light anchored  above  the  forts  and  well  beyond  the  range 
of  their  Are.  The  Confederate  fleet,  which  had  delayed  their 
appearance,  being  too  late  to  actively  assist  the  forts  at  a 
critical  time,  now  came  on  the  scene  and  attacked  the  Fed- 
eral boats.  In  less  than  one  hour  most  of  the  Confederates’ 
boats  were  hors  de  combat.  The  ram,  Manassas,  had  ren- 
dered some  assistance  to  the  forts,  but  lack  of  concerted 
action  on  the  part  of  forts  and  fleet  left  the  way  to  Hew 
Orleans  open  to  the  foe.  The  Federal  fleet  now  headed 
up-stream  toward  the  great  city,  where  a veritable  panic 
reigned.  General  Lovell  had  sent  every  Confederate  soldier 
to  Vicksburg  or  Camp  Moore,  beyond  Lake  Pontchartrain, 


EXPEDITION  AGAINST  NEW  ORLEANS  89 


All  the  shipyards  and  steamboats,  with  an  enormous  quantity 
of  cotton,  were  destroyed.  General  Lovell  turned  the  com- 
mand of  the  city  over  to  the  Mayor  when  the  fleet  anchored 
at  the  wharves  of  the  city,  but  he  had  removed  the  greater 
part  of  his  arms,  ammunition,  and  military  stores. 

Farragut  anchored  in  front  of  the  city  on  April  25  and 
demanded  the  surrender  of  New  Orleans,  but  the  correspond- 
ence was  protracted  until  the  28th.  Meanwhile  General 
Butler  had  invested  both  forts,  which  General  Duncan,  owing 
to  an  uprising  of  the  soldiers,  had  been  forced  to  surrender 
to  Captain  Porter  on  April  28.  Butler  with  his  transports 
reached  New  Orleans  May  1 and  bivouacked  in  the  squares 
of  the  city. 

Farragut  left  the  control  of  the  city  to  Butler,  and  on  the 
9th  of  May  occupied  Baton  Rouge,  on  the  12th  Natchez,  and 
on  the  18th  he  appeared  before  Vicksburg;  but  Lovell  had 
sent  guns  from  the  forts  below  New  Orleans  and  fortifled 
the  place,  and  this  checked  Farragut’s  progress  up  the  river. 

In  the  West  on  February  21  the  able  Gen.  Henry  H. 
Sibley  with  his  Texans,  had  defeated  General  Canby  on  the 
Rio  Grande  and  had  also  occupied  Sante  Fe  and  Albuquer- 
que ; but  by  May  1 all  Sibley’s  forces  were  so  badly  needed 
that  they  were  forced  to  return  to  Texas. 

General  Butler’s  occupancy  of  New  Orleans  was  full  of 
vulgar  tyranny.  He  was  so  objectionable  to  the  citizens 
that  they,  with  one  accord,  gave  him  the  name  of  “ The 
Beast.”  He  issued  orders  that  excited  the  disgust  of  the 
whole  civilized  world.  One  of  the  most  singular  ones  was  for 
the  execution  of  a citizen  by  the  name  of  William  B.  Mum- 
ford,  who  removed  the  United  States  flag  off  the  Mint. 
Notwithstanding  his  weeping  family  and  a petition  of  a 
large  number  of  leading  citizens  for  his  release  Mumford 
was  executed.  There  is  no  doubt  that  Butler  was  unscrupu- 
lous, and  sacrificed  every  good  instinct  to  the  getting  of 
money.  His  order  with  respect  to  women  showed  his  utter 


90 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


lack  of  gentle  feeling;  and  justly  obtained  for  him  the  un- 
dying hatred  of  those  whom  he  so  cruelly  tortured. 

The  general  results  of  the  war  in  the  West  during  the 
first  half  of  1862  were  of  the  most  disastrous  nature  to 
the  Confederate  cause. 

The  State  of  Missouri  had  been  practically  cleared  of 
Confederate  forces.  The  capture  of  Forts  Henry  and  Don- 
elson  had  completely  broken  the  backbone  of  the  Confeder- 
ates’ first  line  of  defense.  The  second  day’s  retreat  from 
Shiloh  had  caused  the  line  of  battle  to  be  pushed  into  the  very 
heart  of  the  Confederacy.  The  capture  of  Hew  Orleans 
was  a great  blow  to  Southern  pride  and  practically  over- 
whelmed the  State  of  Louisiana,  cutting  off  to  a great  ex- 
tent the  States  east  of  the  Mississippi  Eiver  from  the  great 
granary  of  Texas.  The  victories  at  Island  Ho.  10,  Hew 
Madrid,  and  Memphis  opened  the  river  to  Vicksburg.  The 
successful  capture  of  this  place  was  to  test  the  skill  of  the 
Horth’s  greatest  generals  and  be  the  source  of  great  and 
critical  disaster  to  the  Southern  arms.  If  the  fortunes  of 
war  in  Old  Virginia  during  this  trying  year  had  been  as 
dark  and  foreboding  to  the  Confederacy  as  those  just  recorded, 
it  is  more  than  probable  that  the  history  of  the  Civil  War 
would  have  ended  long  before  it  did. 


Facing  Page  91 


CHAPTER  XII 


THE  WAE,  m THE  EAST  IN  1862. OUTSKIRT  EVENTS  OF 

EARLY  ’62 


In  Jannaiy,  1862,  Capt.  C.  H.  Davis  had  made  a care- 
ful and  thorough  inspection  of  Fort  Pulaski,  which  was  the 
main  protection  to  the  city  of  Savannah,  Ga.  On  April  10, 
1862,  after  great  preparation  at  Tybee  Island,  under  Gen- 
eral Hunter,  Fort  Pulaski  was  captured  and  during  the  re- 
maining years  of  the  Civil  War  Savannah  was  thoroughly 
cut  off  from  commerce  by  sea. 

Roanoke  Island. — During  the  first  part  of  January, 
1862,  an  expedition  was  fitted  out  at  Hampton  Roads  con- 
sisting of  twenty-six  gunboats,  under  the  command  of  Com- 
modore Goldsborough,  supported  hy  16,000'  men  under 
Gen.  A.  E.  Burnside.  They  left  on  the  12th  of  January  for 
Pamlico  Sound,  where  they  arrived  on  the  24th.  Gen.  H. 
A.  Wise  was  the  Confederate  officer  in  command  of  the 
fortification  at  Roanoke.  He  had  with  him  only  about  6000 
men.  He  had  used  every  means  in  his  power  to  urge  the 
Confederate  Government  to  reinforce  him,  but  without  avail. 
In  addition  to  the  troops  he  had  seven  gunboats. 

On  February  7 the  Federals  attacked  the  Confederate  fleet 
and  the  fort  called  Barlow,  which  was  the  southern  defense 
of  the  Island.  The  fight  lasted  until  5 p.  m.  Two  of  the 
Confederate  vessels  became  disabled,  and  the  others  went  into 
Albemarle  Sound. 

When  on  the  morning  of  February  8,  the  Federals  made 
a landing  on  the  Island,  the  Confederates  were  taken  by  sur- 
prise. They  lost  in  killed  and  wounded  81 ; 2000  of  them 

91 


92 


HISTOET  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


were  made  prisoners,  several  thousand  small  arms  were  taken, 
and  the  control  of  Eoanoke  Eiver  and  the  granary  of  Norfolk, 
were  lost.  This  disaster  was  declared  hy  many  in  the  Con- 
federate Congress  to  he  due  to  the  negligence  of  Benjamin, 
Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

Merrimac  and  Monitor. — One  of  the  most  dramatic 
events  that  ever  happened  in  naval  warfare  occurred  in  Hamp- 
ton Eoads  on  March  8 and  9,  1862.  The  Merrimac  renamed 
the  Virginia  hy  the  Confederates  was  a frigate  that  had  been 
scuttled  by  the  Federals  when  they  evacuated  Norfolk.  It 
had  been  raised  later  by  the  Confederates  and  converted  into 
a huge  casemated,  iron-plated  hulk,  with  sides  and  ends 
well  submerged,  and  with  a ram  and  eight  broadsides  on  each 
side.  The  Federals  had  in  Hampton  Eoads  the  morning  of 
March  8 a strong  fleet,  consisting  of  the  Cumberland  with 
24  guns,  the  Congress  with  50  guns,  the  frigates  Minnesota 
and  Roanoke  with  40  guns,  and  the  St.  Lawrence  with  50 
guns.  Captain  Buchanan,  the  Confederate  commander  of  the 
Virginia,  approached  the  Cumberland  and  the  Congress,  which 
were  anchored  off  Newport  News.  With  his  untried  craft 
he  attacked  first  the  Cumberland,  whose  guns  made  no  impres- 
sion on  the  Virginia.  The  Cumberland  was  rammed  and 
sunk  in  a few  minutes  in  water  54  feet  deep,  drowning  100  of 
those  on  board. 

The  Congress  had  run  into  shallow  water  and  could  not 
be  rammed,  but  she  was  so  harassed  by  the  guns  from  the 
Virginia  that  she  was  forced  to  surrender.  Captain  Bu- 
chanan at  once  ordered  the  Congress  to  be  destroyed.  By  this 
time  the  Minnesota  was  attacked  by  the  victorious  boat; 
but  night  falling,  the  Virginia  was  forced  to  draw  off  until 
morning. 

In  the  early  morning  of  Sunday,  March  9,  the  Virginia’s 
captain,  fully  anticipating  another  day  of  victory,  was  pre- 
pared to  destroy  the  rest  of  the  Federal  fleet.  As  the  Con- 
federate gunners  were  ready  to  begin  their  work  they  noticed 


THE  WAB  IN  THE  EAST  IN  1862 


93 


a very  strange  looking  craft  laying  in  tlieir  path.  It  was 
Ericsson’s  Monitor  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  John  Wor- 
den. This  vessel  consisted  of  a round  revolving  tower  turret 
twenty  feet  in  diameter,  with  two  eleven-inch  168  pound 
Dahlgren  guns, — all  resting  on  a flat  hull,  172  feet  long  by  41 
feet  wide,  with  armed  decks. 

The  battle  began  at  once  and  lasted  for  four  hours,  dur- 
ing which  the  armor  of  neither  vessel  was  materially  affected. 
The  Monitor  moved  its  position  with  such  rapidity  that  the 
Virginia  was  unable  effectually  to  use  her  ram.  About  noon 
Lieutenant  Worden’s  vessel  was  injured,  and  for  better  pro- 
tection he  drew  it  into  shallow  water,  and  as  the  engines  of 
the  Virginia  had  about  given  out  from  the  continued  strain 
of  two  days’  fight,  she  withdrew  to  the  Norfolk  Navy  Yard. 

On  March  8 the  Federals  lost  250  officers  and  men;  two 
great  vessels  were  destroyed,  and  two  shoaled.  The  Con- 
federates had  2 killed  and  woimded  on  board  the  Virginia, 
and  4 killed  on  other  vessels.  On  March  9 no  one  was  killed, 
but  both  commanders  were  wounded.  The  opportune  appear- 
ance of  the  Monitor  probably  prevented  the  complete  de- 
struction of  the  Federal  fleet  in  the  Potomac.  The  Vir- 
ginia was  used  for  a while  afterward  to  guard  the  approach 
to  the  James  River,  but  finally  was  ordered  to  be  destroyed 
by  the  Confederates  to  prevent  her  capture.  This  was  a 
serious  mistake  and  gave  the  Federals  free  access  up  the  James 
River  to  within  a point  of  danger  for  Richmond. 


CHAPTEE  XIII 


MC  CLEX.LAn’s  PENINStTLAR  CAMPAIGN 

By  the  early  part  of  1862  the  Federal  Government  had 
gathered  nnder  McClellan  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Washington 
a disciplined  and  thoroughly  equipped  fighting  army  of 
fully  200,000  men  to  avenge  the  defeat  at  Bull  Eun  and 
the  disaster  of  Ball’s  BlnfF.  At  the  same  time  they  had 
in  view  the  ultimate  capture  of  Eichmond.  McClellan’s 
sickness  with  typhoid  fever  in  January  delayed  the  Federals’ 
movements.  Against  this  formidable  host,  Gen.  Joseph 
E.  Johnston  had  under  his  command  at  Manassas  30,000 
men;  12  slim  regiments  had  been  sent  under  Jackson  to  the 
Shenandoah  Valley  to  face  Banks  and  Shields  and  about 
10,000  men  were  stationed  on  the  lower  Potomac  and  York 
Eivers  imder  Magmder.  McClellan  on  March  8,  with  the 
sanction  of  President  Lincoln,  decided  to  change  his  base 
of  operations  against  Eichmond  to  the  York  Eiver  Penin- 
sula,— a narrow  strip  of  land  that  lay  between  the  York 
and  James  Eivers  and  that  was  divided  higher  up  by  the 
sluggish  Chickahominy.  The  purpose  of  McClellan  in  mak- 
ing this  move  was  to  avoid  the  necessity  of  crossing  the  deep 
rivers  that  lay  hetiveen  Washington  and  Eichmond.  Johns- 
ton had  early  been  informed  of  the  proposed  change,  and  with 
great  skill  had  evacuated  Manassas  and  moved  across  the 
Eappahannock  to  await  McClellan’s  plans.  On  the  11th 
of  March  the  Federals  occupied  Manassas,  and  on  the  13th 
they  proceeded  to  convey  the  army  to  the  York  Peninsula 
by  means  of  transports,  sending  forward  125,000  men  and 
leaving  35,000  under  McDowell  to  protect  Washington. 

Kernstown. — Meanwhile,  on  March  23,  1862,  General 

94 


McCLELLAN’S  PEi^IITSULAE  CAMPAIGN  95 


Jackson,  with  a force  of  2742  men  and  18  guns  was  at- 
tacked at  Kernstown  by  Shields,  with  6000  infantry,  750 
cavalry,  and  24  giins,  and  was  forced  to  retreat.  The  Con- 
federates lost  in  this  battle  465  killed  and  wounded,  and 
263  missing;  and  the  Federals  118  killed,  450  wounded, 
and  22  missing. 

But  very  important  events  were  soon  to  transpire  in  the 
York  Peninsula.  McClellan  disembarked  his  troops  April 
2 near  Fortress  Monroe,  and  on  the  7th  he  arrived  in  front 
of  Yorktown.  Magnider  was  located  here  with  11,000  men 
to  defend  the  Peninsula  until  Johnston  could  concentrate  his 
forces  before  Richmond.  McClellan  laid  siege  to  the  old 
town  for  a month;  and  as  soon  as  he  was  prepared  to  bom- 
bard it  Magruder  retreated  to  make  his  junction  with  Johns- 
ton, which  the  delay  of  McClellan  had  given  him  an  oppor- 
tunity effectually  to  do.  McClellan  had  been  tricked  into 
this  costly  delay  by  the  Confederate  general,  who  had  placed 
his  troops  in  position  so  as  to  give  an  impression  to  the  Fed- 
erals of  having  a much  larger  anny  while  the  Confederates 
were  moving  toward  Williamsburg. 

Battle  of  Williamsburg.—  Though  McClellan  was  dis- 
appointed at  the  empty  surrender  of  Yorktown  he  now  pushed 
forward  and  attacked  Longstreet’s  rear  guard  at  Fort  Ma- 
gruder on  May  5.  General  Hooker  led  the  advance,  but  lost 
five  guns  and  was  forced  to  draw  off  after  five  hours’  fight- 
ing in  which  he  was  assisted  by  Genei-als  Hancock  and 
Kearney.  Hancock  had  made  a strong  attack  on  Longstreet’s 
left;  which,  however,  accomplished  nothing.  Longstreet  re- 
treated undisturbed  during  the  night  toward  Richmond,  hav- 
ing temporarily  checked  the  advance  of  McClellan’s  army. 
Men  on  both  sides  of  the  conflict  now  rapidly  distinguished 
themselves  on  the  scene  of  strife  — men  whose  names  will  ever 
be  symbols  of  honor  and  bravery  to  Americans. 

The  Confederates  lost  in  killed  and  wounded  1570 ; miss- 
ing, 133. 


96 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


The  Federals  had  killed  456,  wounded  1410;  a total  of 
1866,  missing  373. 

The  Federals  were  compelled  to  stay  at  Williamsburg  10 
days  in  order  to  organize. 

Destruction  of  the  Virginia. — On  the  evacuation  of 
Yorktown  and  after  the  battle  of  Williamsburg  it  became 
necessary  for  the  Confederates  to  evacuate  ISTorfolk. 

Captain  Tottnal  undertook  to  navigate  the  Virginia  up 
the  James  Eiver  by  removing  the  guns  so  as  to  lighten  her 
over  the  shoals ; but  he  failed ; and  fearing  capture,  ordered 
her  to  be  burned.  The  court  of  inquiry  gave  the  decision 
that  it  was  an  unnecessary  procedure.  It  left  the  James 
Eiver  open  to  Federal  vessels  at  a critical  time  and  they 
advanced  up  the  river  to  Drury’s  Bluff,  within  twelve  miles 
of  Eichmond.  The  guns  of  the  forts  here,  however,  were 
strong  enough  to  guard  the  approach. 

Events  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley  Jeopardize  the  Suc- 
cess of  Peninsular  Campaign. — The  most  brilliant  cam- 
paign of  the  war  was  conceived  by  President  Davis  and  con- 
fided to  General  Jackson,  who  extended  its  scope  and  carried 
it  out  successfully,  with  the  assistance  of  General  Ewell. 

Jackson,  after  his  junction  with  Ewell,  had  17,000  men 
and  made  his  headquarters  and  base  of  operation  at  Staun- 
ton. The  main  purpose  of  the  campaign  was  to  divert  Mc- 
Dowell,— who  was  stationed  at  Fredericksburg, — from  help- 
ing McClellan.  Jackson  on  his  own  responsibility  assumed 
the  aggressive.  The  Federal  forces  in  the  valley  were  under 
Banks  and  Shields,  while  Milroy  and  Blenker  were  in  West 
Virginia  at  Franklin.  Jackson  at  once  sent  Ewell  down  the 
Shenandoah  Valley  to  engage  Banks  and  Shields;  and  he 
moved  toward  Franklin  to  meet  Fremont.  On  May  8 at 
the  village  of  McDowell  Jackson  met  Milroy  and  Schenck, 
and  forced  them  to  retire. 

Jackson  now  hastened  to  carry  out  the  second  part  of  his 
military  plan.  He  joined  Ewell  at  Hew  Market.  Here  he 


McCLELLAi^’S  PENINSULAE  CAMPAIGIT  97 


learned  tliat  General  Banis  was  at  Strasburg.  Crossing  tbe 
ridges  that  divided  the  valley  into  two  parts  — Jackson  moved 
down  the  east  branch  of  the  Shenandoah  to  Eront  Royal, — 
which  was  situated  at  the  junction  of  the  two  branches  of 
the  Shenandoah,  twelve  miles  east  of  the  town  of  Strasburg 
and  due  west  of  Manassas  Gap.  On  May  23  Jackson  at- 
tacked and  overpowered  the  rear  of  Banks’  forces,  driving 
the  whole  army  through  Winchester  and  capturing  a 
large  and  useful  quantity  of  supplies.  By  May  25  Banks’ 
whole  army  had  been  driven  in  frantic  retreat  through  the 
town. 

The  Eederal  army  reached  the  Potomac  River  at  Williams- 
port late  in  the  evening  of  the  25th.  The  losses  of  the  Eed- 
erals  were  1000  men,  killed  and  wounded ; 4000  prisoners, 
and  millions  of  dollars  of  supplies.  But  this  was  only  a 
small  part  of  the  advantage  to  the  Confederates  gained  by 
this  victory.  It  produced  a scare  in  Washington  which  forced 
Lincoln  and  Stanton  to  change  their  plan  of  sending  Mc- 
Dowell to  aid  McClellan.  The  President  and  the  War  Sec- 
retary planned  now  to  trap  Jackson.  On  May  25  and  26 
Generals  Shields  and  McDowell  were  ordered  to  the  Gap. 
Shields  reached  Eront  Royal  on  the  30th;  but  Jackson  had 
passed  the  Gap  going  up  the  valley,  eluded  Eremont,  and 
pushed  rapidly  toward  Port  Republic.  On  June  7 he  had 
reached  this  point,  which  lies  on  the  south  bank  of  the  east 
fork  of  the  Shenandoah.  General  Ewell  was  now  four  miles 
distant  at  Harrisburg.  June  8 and  9 Ewell  defeated  Fre- 
mont at  Cross  Keys,  where  the  Confederates  lost  329  men 
killed  and  wounded.  The  Federal  loss  was  about  625  killed 
and  wounded. 

Jackson  now  crossed  and  then  burnt  the  bridge  at  Port 
Republic.  He  then  attacked  General  Carroll,  who  after 
a stubborn  fight  was  forced  to  retreat. 

The  loss  of  the  Confederates  ia  this  last  fight  was  1000 
killed  and  wounded  and  the  loss  of  the  Eederals  was  about 


98  HISTOET  OE  THE  CIVIL  WAE 

the  same,  hut  with  the  addition  of  450  prisoners  and  sev- 
eral guns. 

The  campaigTi  under  Jackson  had  been  marvelously  suc- 
cessful. In  two  weeks  three  large  armies,  or  a total  of  44,- 
840  men,  had  been  scattered;  several  thousand  soldiers  had 
been  made  prisoners,  and  millions  of  dollars  of  supplies 
belonging  to  the  Federals  had  been  capLired  or  destroyed. 
McDowell  had  been  prevented  from  cooperating  Avith  Mc- 
Clellan at  a critical  time,  which  might  have  given  him  suc- 
cess. Jackson  Avas  noAv  free  to  join  Johnston  before  Eich- 
mond  and  to  give  him  aid.  He  had  lost  since  leaving 
Winchester  only  1167  men,  Avhile  the  Federals  lost  15,000 
men  during  the  campaign.  Jackson  now  hastened  by  Gor- 
donsville  toAvard  Eichmond. 

McClellan’s  Advance. — While  Jackson’s  campaign  was 
in  progress  McClellan  was  advancing  with  130,000  men  up 
the  Peninsula  to  confront  Johnston,  Avho  had  80,000  men 
Avith  whom  to  defend  Eichmond.  In  the  last  days  of  May 
McClellan  had  reached  Bottom  Bridge  and  the  railroad  across 
the  Chickahominy.  Keyes’  and  Heintzelman’s  divisions  had 
been  posted  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Chickahominy  Eiver 
along  the  turnpike  to  Seven  Pines.  These  tAvo  divisions 
composed  the  left  wing  of  McClellan’s  army.  The  center 
Avas  commanded  by  General  Sumner,  the  right  Aving  by  Fitz- 
John  Porter  and  Franklin  was  far  to  the  northwest  near 
Gaines’  Mills,  on  the  left  bank  of  the  river.  Johnston  saw 
the  danger  of  the  great  anny’s  position,  thus  divided  by  the 
river,  and  at  once  determined  to  take  advantage  of  it  by  at- 
tacking the  left  Aving  before  assistance  could  be  rendered  it 
by  the  right  Aving. 

On  June  7 at  Eltham  Landing  Franklin’s  brigade  was 
attacked  by  the  Confederates  and  severely  beaten  until  the 
artillery  Avas  landed  and  forced  them  to  retire.  By  June 
10-11  McClellan  had  advanced  his  army  to  a permanent 
basis. 


McCLELXAN’S  PENINSULAE  CAMPAIGN  99 


Seven  Pines. — On  May  31  Gen.  D.  H.  Hill  was  or- 
dered to  marcli  out  and  support  the  attack  against  the  Eederal 
left.  He  thought  that  the  heavy  rain  of  the  night  would  be  in 
the  Confederates’  favor.  Upon  the  morning  of  the  31st, 
when  Hill  attacked  Casey  at  Seven  Pines  the  line  extended 
as  far  as  Pair  Oaks  Station.  Longstreet  supported  Hill  and 
Couch  reinforced  Casey;  but  the  Federals  were  driven  back, 
after  suffering  severe  losses,  as  far  as  Savage’s  Station. 
Huger,  on  Hill’s  extreme  right,  was  prevented  from  render- 
ing much  assistance  to  the  Confederates  on  account  of  swollen 
waters.  This  failure  on  Huger’s  part  prevented  Hill  and 
Longstreet  from  gaining  a complete  success. 

General  Johnston, — who  with  General  Smith’s  division, 
had  gone  to  Old  Tavern,  three  miles  to  the  northwest  of  Pair 
Oaks, — on  account  of  the  changed  wind  possibly  did  not 
hear  the  sound  of  the  battle  which  was  in  progress ; and  it  was 
4 p.  m.  before  he  was  informed  of  the  condition  at  Pair  Oaks. 
He  then  hastened  to  his  general’s  assistance,  and  struck  Kear- 
ney’s division,  which  had  been  brought  up  to  aid  Casey  and 
Couch.  The  tide  of  the  great  battle  was  going  against  the 
Pederals;  it  seemed  as  if  victory  lay  in  the  Confederates’ 
hands,  but  Sumner,  on  the  left  bank  of  the  river,  considering 
that  his  presence  was  much  needed,  on  his  own  responsibility 
urged  his  men  across  the  new-made  bridges  and  came  up 
almost  directly  in  the  rear  of  Smith’s  division  when  the 
Federals  were  in  the  greatest  stress.  Johnston  at  this  junc- 
ture was  severely  wounded,  night  was  falling,  and  the  retreat 
toward  Pichmond  was  ordered.  General  Huger,  fortunately 
for  the  Confederates,  came  up  in  time  to  cover  their  retreat. 

The  Confederates  lost  in  the  first  day’s  battle  between 
4000  and  5000  men. 

The  Federals  lost  5739  men,  10  cannons,  6000  small  arms, 
and  a large  number  of  tents  and  equipages. 

On  June  1 the  battle  of  Pair  Oaks  was  renewed.  McClel- 
lan had  sent  two  divisions  from  the  left  bank  as  reinforce- 


100 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


ments,  but  Longstreet  withdrew.  Gen.  G.  W.  Smith  had 
assumed  command  upon  the  wounding  of  General  Johnston. 
Sickles  and  Meagher  reconnoitered  to  within  four  miles  of 
Eichmond  but  were  recalled  by  McClellan. 

At  1 p.  m.,  June  5,  Gen.  E.  E.  Lee  was  appointed 
commander-in-chief  of  the  Confederates.  Lee  was  at  this 
time  55  years  of  age,  of  fine  appearance,  and  robust  in 
health ; he  was  a practical  general, — had  been  chief  of  en- 
gineers for  General  Scott  in  the  Mexican  War, — and  he  was 
beloved  of  all,  and  without  a rival. 

The  battle  of  Fair  Oaks  had  been  well  planned  by  John- 
ston ; but  the  orders  to  his  generals  were  verbal  and,  as  might 
be  expected,  became  confused.  Longstreet  and  Hill  would 
have  had  more  than  they  could  do  without  the  aid  of  Huger. 
The  loss  of  the  Federals,  however,  was  so  severe  that  it  effect- 
ually checked  McClellan  until  Lee,  who  was  conferring  with 
President  Davis,  could  have  Jackson  hasten  his  troops  from 
the  valley  to  Gordonsville.  In  order  to  blind  the  Federals  to 
their  intents,  Whiting’s  division  was  sent  from  Eichmond  to 
Lynchburg  and  Staunton,  care  being  taken  that  the  Federal 
commander  should  become  aware  of  the  move.  At  the  same 
time  Whiting  was  sent  to  join  Jackson  at  Gordonsville. 
Jackson  was  ordered  to  move  to  Hanover  Court  House  and 
the  railroad  between  this  place  and  the  Chickahominy.  On 
the  m^orning  of  June  25  General  Jackson,  coming  from  the 
northwest,  arrived  at  Lee’s  headquarters  on  horseback  and 
informed  Lee  that  his  army  was  twenty-five  miles  away. 
He  arranged  to  attack  McClellan’s  right  wing.  By  night 
J ackson  was  again  with  his  army  at  Hanover  Court  House. 


CHAPTER  XIV 

SEVEOST  days’  BATTLE  BEEOEE  EICHMOND 

One  of  the  most  daring  cavalry  raids  of  the  war  occurred 
between  the  11th  and  25th  of  June.  General  Lee  had  sent 
Gen.  J.  E.  B.  Stuart,  with  a thousand  picked  men,  to 
make  a complete  circuit  of  the  great  Federal  army.  It  was 
a startling  revelation  to  McClellan  that  such  an  undertaking 
could  be  accomplished.  With  the  loss  of  only  one  man  Stuart 
and  his  command,  after  destroying  numerous  supplies  of 
the  Eederals  and  engaging  in  several  skirmishes,  arrived 
safely  in  Richmond  by  the  Charles  Road. 

McClellan’s  position  was  thought  by  the  Confederates  to 
be  critical.  Porter  was  on  the  north  side  of  the  Chicka- 
hominy;  Franklin  joined  him  on  the  south;  Sumner  and 
Heintzelman’s  forces  extended  on  the  left  to  White  Oak 
Swamp,  with  Keyes’  corps  held  in  reserve. 

Of  Lee’s  anny.  Huger  and  Magruder  were  opposite  Sum- 
ner. A.  P.  Hill  fronted  Franklin,  while  Longstreet  and 
D.  H.  Hill  were  held  in  reserve.  On  the  26th  of  June  Jack- 
son,  with  25,000  men,  joined  Lee. 

Battle  of  MechanicsviUe,  June  26,  3 p.  m. — Gen. 
A.  P.  Hill  made  the  initial  attack  of  the  Seven  Days’  battle 
against  Gen.  Fitz-John  Porter,  who  was  forced  to  retreat. 
It  was  a terrific  fight.  Porter,  with  27,000  men,  took  an 
elevated  and  strongly  fortified  position  at  Beaver  Dam  Creek. 
D.  H.  Hill’s  division  attacked  the  Federals  here,  but  was 
repulsed,  and  thus  closed  the  first  day’s  assault.  The  Fed- 
erals had  been  driven  back,  but  the  Confederates  had  suffered 
severely,  losing  1484  men,  while  the  Federals  lost  361. 

101 


102 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


Gen.  A.  P.  Hill  was  a brave,  resolute,  highly  intelligent, 
and  much  beloved  commander;  but  at  times  he  did  not  use 
quite  enough  caution. 

Battle  of  Gaines’  Mill,  Friday,  June  27. — During  the 
early  morning  of  June  27  McClellan  had  ordered  Porter  and 
his  division  to  retreat  toward  Hew  Bridge  over  the  Chicka- 
hominy  Eiver  behind  Gaines’  Mill.  About  1 p.  m.  A.  P. 
Hill’s  advance  division  struck  the  Federal  line,  and  the  bloody 
battle  of  Gaines’  Mill  began.  The  losses  on  both  sides  were 
very  heavy.  Lee  on  his  arrival  saw  that  he  was  dealing 
with  a whole  corps  of  the  Federal  army  and  sent  for  Jackson 
to  fall  on  the  flank  of  the  Federals.  At  5 :30  p.  m.,  when 
Jackson  approached,  the  flghting  was  very  bitter  and  obsti- 
nate on  both  sides,  but  the  Federals  were  driven  back,  losing 
fourteen  pieces  of  artillery.  Night  closed  the  bloody  battle 
of  Gaines’  Mill  and  prevented  the  Confederates  from  push- 
ing their  success.  The  valor  of  the  Confederates  in  this 
battle  was  very  marked.  Their  loss  was  6000,  killed  and 
wounded.  The  Federals  lost  6837,  killed  and  wounded,  and 
22  guns. 

On  the  evening  of  June  27  McClellan  ordered  a general 
retreat  toward  the  James  Eiver  as  the  way  lay  open.  A 
bridge  was  ordered  to  be  built  across  the  White  Oak  Creek. 

By  the  morning  of  June  28  the  whole  Federal  army  was  on 
the  south  side  of  the  Chickahominy  Eiver.  Magruder  and 
Huger,  with  only  25,000  men,  were  the  only  Confederate 
forces  between  McClellan  and  Eichmond.  The  Federals  had 
no  idea  of  stopping  the  retreat.  Keyes’  corps  occupied 
Frazier  Farm  on  the  28th  of  June. 

McClellan  now  marched  toward  Glendale.  One  way  was 
around  the  head  of  the  swamp;  the  other  was  to  go  across 
the  middle  of  White  Oak  Swamp  over  the  bridges.  On  the 
evening  of  June  28,  McClellan’s  movements  were  delayed  by 
the  necessity  of  sending  forward  2500  head  of  cattle,  2600 
wagons,  700  ambulances  and  350  guns.  On  the  night  of 


SEVEK  DAYS’  BATTLE  BEFOEE  EICHMOKD  103 


June  28  and  the  morning  of  June  29  the  Federal  move- 
ments vere  greatly  aided  and  covered  by  the  fog  and  dark- 
ness, and  at  daylight  of  the  30th  the  greater  part  of  their 
supplies  had  safely  reached  the  James  Kiver.  June  29  found 
Keyes,  Porter,  McCall,  and  Slocum  at  Glendale. 

After  the  battle  of  Gaines’  Mill  it  was  evident  to  Lee  that 
McClellan  was  preparing  for  a retreat ; however,  what  route 
the  Federals  would  take  Lee  did  not  know ; but  he  kept  the 
gTeater  part  of  his  army  on  the  north  side  of  the  Chicka- 
hominy.  On  account  of  a certain  lack  of  watchfulness  on  the 
part  of  some  of  his  division  commanders  and  scouts,  he  was 
not  fully  aware  that  McClellan  was  moving  toward  the  James 
until  the  night  of  June  28. 

Hill  and  Longstreet  were  at  once  ordered  across  the  Chicka- 
hominy  at  iSTew  Bridge,  and  passed  to  the  rear  of  Huger. 
Most  of  the  29th  was  spent  by  Jackson  in  rebuilding  the 
Grapevine  Bridge  over  the  Chickahominy  in  order  that  he 
might  come  upon  the  rear  and  flank  of  the  Federals  near 
Savage  Station.  Early  in  the  afternoon  of  the  28th  Ma- 
gruder  had  attacked  Sumner  at  Allen’s  Farm  near  Savage 
Station;  but  the  night  terminated  this  short  but  sanguinary 
fight.  During  the  night  of  June  29  the  Federals  continued 
their  retreat  across  White  Oak  Swamp.  They  had  gained  a 
precious  day. 

Frazier  Farm. — Early  in  the  morning  of  the  30th  of 
June  Jackson  arrived  at  Savage  Station  on  the  north  side  of 
the  Swamp.  McCall,  of  Franklin’s  division,  had  his  artil- 
lery well  stationed  on  higher  ground  that  was  well  protected  by 
a grove  of  trees.  The  battle  raged  until  9 p.  m.  The  Fed- 
erals  were  driven  from  the  field,  after  having  held  the 
Confederates  at  bay  for  nearly  the  whole  afternoon. 

At  Glendale,  ahoiit  five  miles  from  Darbytown,  at  2 p.  m., 
Longstreet  and  Hill  attacked  Sumner  and  Heintzelman. 
They  had  anticipated  the  help  of  Jackson,  but  he  was  pre- 
vented from  crossing  White  Oak  Bridge.  Huger  and  Magru- 


104 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


der  were  also  unable  to  come  to  tbeir  aid.  The  Confederates 
fought  with  determination,  realizing  that  it  was  their  last 
chance  before  McClellan  reached  the  James.  The  Federals 
were  badly  beaten  but  not  put  to  rout.  By  July  1 McClellan 
had  gathered  his  army  along  the  Malvern  Hill  plateau,  where 
he  placed  his  artillery  so  that  it  could  be  aided  by  the  gun- 
boats from  the  James.  Lee,  immediately  after  his  victory  at 
Glendale,  proceeded  to  gather  his  scattered  forces.  Magruder 
and  Huger  joined  and  relieved  the  exhausted  troops  of  Long- 
street  and  Hill  about  midnight,  and  Jackson  joined  them  the 
morning  of  July  1. 

Malvern  Hill. — On  July  1 at  3 p.  m.  D.  H.  Hill,  com- 
manding one  of  Jackson’s  divisions,  made  a premature  at- 
tack on  the  Federal  position,  but  he  was  not  supported  at  the 
opportune  time  by  Magruder  and  Huger.  A final  desperate 
charge  was  made  about  6 p.  m.,  but  the  Confederate  forces, 
not  working  in  concert,  were  repulsed.  It  was  9 p.  m. 
before  they  accepted  defeat  all  along  the  line.  Their  hope 
of  destroying  the  great  Federal  army  had  not  been  realized. 

The  Confederates  no  doubt  sustained  the  heavier  loss  in 
men;  there  being  3286  killed,  the  large  number  of  16,261 
wounded  (the  greater  number  fully  recovered  and  reen- 
tered the  army),  and  875  captured.  The  total  loss  in  the 
Seven  Days’  campaign  was  20,322  men,  but  practically  no 
supplies. 

In  the  Seven  Days’  battle,  the  Federals  lost  1734  killed, 
8062  wounded,  8000  missing  and  captured, — a total  of 
17,796  men.  They  lost  52  superior  cannons,  and  3500  small 
arms.  The  Confederates  captured  enormous  quantities  of 
supplies,  and  no  doubt  McClellan  was  forced  to  destroy  an 
equal  quantity. 

The  much  boasted  and  cherished  design  of  capturing  Eich- 
mond  was  at  the  time  completely  blocked.  The  Confederates 
were  much  elated  over  their  relief  from  such  imminent  dan- 
ger and  the  great  Federal  Government  was  just  as  greatly 


SEYEIT  DAYS’  BATTLE  BEFOEE  EICHMOKD  105 


depressed.  In  the  whole  Peninsular  Campaign  the  Confeder- 
ates had  lost  in  killed,  wounded,  and  captured  about  26,500 
men.  The  total  number  of  men  they  had  brought  into  action 
was  93,'181.  The  Federals  had  lost  something  like  25,Y00 
men  killed,  wounded,  and  captured,  and  enormous  military 
equipments.  They  had  brought  into  action  115,239  men. 

McClellan,  by  the  order  of  President  Lincoln,  withdrew  his 
army  by  August  23  to  Acquia  Creek  on  the  Potomac,  after  he 
had  remained  at  Harrison  Landing  on  the  James  for  one 
month. 


CHAPTER  XV 


pope’s  campaign  in  VIRGINIA 

After  Pope’s  idctory  at  Island  Xo.  10  and  his  service 
under  Halleck  near  Corinth,  Miss.,  influential  friends  had 
obtained  his  appointment  as  the  commander  of  about  50,000 
men  on  the  Rappahannock  which  consisted  of  Banks’,  Fre- 
mont’s, and  McDowell’s  commands;  but  Ei’emont  refused  to 
seiwe  in  this  subordinate  position  and  Gen.  Franz  Sigel  was 
put  in  his  place  the  last  of  June. 

General  Pope  was  a very  pronounced  abolitionist  and 
made  many  vain  boasts  as  to  what  he  ivould  accomplish.  On 
July  14,  1862,  Pope  sent  Banks  with  8000  men  from  Cul- 
peper to  Gordonsville ; but  Jackson  was  there,  and  Banks 
was  forced  to  return  to  Culpeper.  On  July  29  Pope  ar- 
rived and  concentrated  his  forces,  which  now  consisted  of 
45,000  men,  fifteen  miles  northwest  of  Culpeper  at  the  foot 
of  the  Blue  Ridge. 

Battle  of  Cedar  Mountain. — On  August  8 Jackson 
crossed  the  Rapidan  and  on  the  9th  advanced  toward  Cul- 
peper. Banks  with  10,000  men  now  moved  to  Cedar  Moun- 
tain, forcing  Jackson  to  retire  during  the  night;  and  about 
4 p.  m.  on  August  9,  the  battle  of  Cedar  Mountain  began. 
Jackson’s  whole  force  amounted  to  15,000;  while  Banks  was 
supported  by  Ricketts’  division.  For  the  shortness  of  the 
engagement  and  the  small  number  that  took  part  it  was  a 
very  sanguinary  fight.  The  Federals  were  driven  from  their 
position  and  lost  25  per  cent,  of  the  troops  brought  into 
action.  The  Confederates  lost  223  killed,  and  1000  wounded. 
Jackson  now  awaited  Lee  south  of  the  Rapidan. 

After  Lee  learned  of  McClellan’s  purpose  to  send  the  army 

106 


POPE’S  CAMPAIGI^  IN  VIRGHSTIA 


107 


to  Acquia  Creek  lie  endeavored  to  crush.  Pope  by  reinforcing 
Jackson,  so  on  August  13  Hood  and  Longstreet  were  sent 
for  that  purpose.  They  joined  Jackson  on  the  20th  and 
decided  to  surprise  Pope. 

Pope,  who  was  trying  to  protect  Washington  and  Acquia 
Creek,  then  drew  his  army  to  the  north  bank  of  the  Rappa- 
hannock. On  the  21st  of  August  Lee  sent  Jackson  up  to 
the  headwaters  of  the  Rappahannock  River  so  that  he 
might  make  a flank  movement  through  Thoroughfare  Gap 
upon  Pope’s  right.  Pope  learned  of  Jackson’s  movement, 
and  at  flrst  sent  only  two  brigades  to  attack  him.  These  were 
routed  as  any  wise  commander  might  have  known  they  would 
he.  While  Jackson  was  moving  near  Sulphur  Springs  Pope 
sent  word  to  his  forces  that  he  proposed  to  cross  the  river  and 
attack  Longstreet;  but  torrents  of  rain  on  the  night  of  the 
22d  caused  Pope  to  discontinue  this  plan  and  recall  the 
forces  already  sent  across  the  Rappahannock.  Gen.  Juhal 
Early’s  troops  were  at  this  time  on  the  same  side  of 
the  river  as  Pope’s.  The  Federal  general  now  considered 
it  an  opportunity  to  entirely  destroy  this  stubborn  flghter 
before  assistance  could  reach  him.  Early,  however,  had 
eluded  Pope’s  army  by  the  morning  of  August  24  and  had 
joined  Jackson  on  the  march. 

Gen.  J.  E.  B.  Stuart  with  a regiment  of  cavalry  had 
been  sent  directly  into  the  rear  of  Pope’s  army,  and  on  a 
dark  and  stormy  night  at  Catlett  Station  captured  several 
hundred  prisoners.  Pope’s  papers,  and  nearly  captured  the 
general  himself. 

Pope’s  army  was  much  scattered  and  used  up  by  the  march- 
ing and  counter-marching  through  the  rain  and  mud  in  search 
of  Early;  hut  most  of  Lee’s  army  had  obtained  a good  rest. 

McDowell  was  at  Warrenton  on  August  24,  Reynolds’ 
division  and  Porter’s  corps  were  marching  up  the  Rappahan- 
nock from  Acquia  Creek  to  Kelley’s  Ford ; Heintzelman  was 
moving  from  Alexandria  to  Manassas  Junction,  and  on  the 


108 


HISTOKY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


same  day  McClellan  arrived  at  Acquia  Creek.  Sigel’s  corps 
had  reached  Waterloo  by  August  26,  and  Sumner’s  forces 
■were  still  at  Acquia  Creek. 

General  Lee  now  prepared  to  attack  Pope  before  he  could 
gather  his  scattered  army  together.  On  the  morning  of 
August  26  Jackson  took  Thoroughfare  Gap,  and  by  the  even- 
ing of  the  26th  his  cavalry  had  reached  Bristoe’s  Station  on 
the  Orange  & Alexandria  Railroad,  and  cut  off  Pope’s  com- 
munication with  Manassas  Junction.  On  August  27  Jack- 
son’s infantry  took  Manassas  Junction  and  occupied  the  old 
Bull  Run  battlefield,  practically  the  same  position  that  the 
Federals  held  during  the  first  battle. 

Jackson,  however,  was  in  a dangerous  position.  Pope’s 
whole  army  lay  between  him  and  the  remainder  of  Lee’s 
forces ; McDowell’s  forces  occupied  Gainesville  and  Haymar- 
ket,  which  were  between  Jackson  and  Longstreet;  but  during 
the  night  of  August  27  Jackson  left  Manassas  Junction, — 
after  destroying  what  he  could  not  use, — and  moved  to 
Coverton  and  Sudley  Station,  eight  miles  north  of  Manassas. 
He  hoped  thus  to  make  a junction  with  Longstreet  and  place 
McDowell  southeast  of  him. 

Pope  ordered  McDowell  to  Manassas  on  the  morning  of 
August  28,  leaving  one  division  under  Ricketts  to  hold  Long- 
street. The  flank  of  McDowell’s  army  had  come  in  touch 
with  Ewell  when  Jackson  ordered  an  attack.  This  fight, 
which  took  place  on  the  Warrenton  Pike  near  Groveton,  lasted 
for  three  hours, — from  6 p.  m.  to  9 p.  m.  General  Ewell 
was  wounded,  but  the  Federals,  being  unsupported,  withdrew 
to  join  the  main  body,  which  was  moving  toward  Centerville. 

About  6 p.  m.  on  the  28th  of  August  Longstreet’s  corps  ap- 
peared in  the  defiles  of  Thoroughfare  Gap ; after  a short  con- 
flict with  Ricketts’  division  the  Federals  were  forced  to  re- 
treat toward  Manassas.  During  the  entire  night  of  the  28th 
Lee’s  army  was  pushing  its  way  through  the  Gap,  hastening 
to  join  Jackson  at  Groveton  on  the  morrow. 


POPE’S  CAMPAIGIT  IN  VIKGINIA 


109 


Second  Battle  of  Manassas. — On  the  evening  of  August 
28  Pope  was  still  in  the  dark.  Jackson’s  maneuver  in  send- 
ing Hill  toward  Centerville  had  again  misled  the  astute 
general,  and  he  was  still  unaware  that  Longstreet  would  he 
ready  to  aid  Jackson.  Pope  now  had  with  him  the  troops  of 
Hooker,  Kearney  and  Eeno.  In  the  early  morning  of  the 
29th  Pope  ordered  Sigel  to  attack  Jackson’s  front  near  Grove- 
ton.  Hooker,  Kearney,  and  Eeno  were  ordered  to  move 
against  the  Confederates’  left  over  the  Stone  Bridge  and 
McDowell  was  ordered  to  move  against  Gainesville.  The 
Confederates  and  Eederals  were  reversed  in  the  position  they 
had  held  in  the  battle  of  one  year  before. 

First  Day. — The  Federal  line  extended  in  a curve  about 
ten  miles  long  from  the  Bull  Eim  stone  bridge  to  Gainesville ; 
while  that  of  the  Confederates, — shorter  and  straight, — was 
protected  by  railroad  embankments  yet  imfinished.  The  con- 
flict was  begun  by  the  hardy  German  fighter  Sigel,  who  struck 
Jackson’s  center  about  9 a.  m. ; and  it  was  at  10  a.  m.  before 
the  wings  were  brought  into  battle.  By  noon  of  the  29th 
Longstreet  had  joined  Jackson’s  right  and  faced  Porter  on 
the  railroad.  McDowell  had  attacked  Longstreet  hut  made 
no  headway.  Hill  and  Early  defeated  Hooker  and  Kearney 
before  the  unfinished  railroad  embankment,  and  though  the 
impetuosity  and  courage  of  the  Eederals  here  was  remark- 
able, no  amount  of  effort  could  dislodge  the  obstinate  Con- 
federates. The  soldiers  of  Jackson,  joined  by  Longstreet, 
were  ordered  to  charge  with  bayonets.  Porter  at  an  oppor- 
tune time  failed  to  support  the  Eederals’  center.  Darkness 
now  prevented  further  carnage.  The  Eederals  had  been  out- 
generaled and  repulsed  at  every  point ; but  it  was  not  a de- 
cisive day,  the  awful  tale  of  war  would  he  repeated  on  the  mor- 
row. Lee’s  whole  army  in  the  early  morning  of  August  30 
confronted  Pope,  whose  army  was  much  fatigued  and  dis- 
ordered by  the  previous  day’s  fight.  The  Confederate  troops 
occupied  practically  the  same  position  as  on  the  previous  day. 


110 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


The  Federal  right  was  under  Heintzelman,  the  left  under  Mc- 
Dowell, and  the  center,  commanded  by  Porter,  consisted  of 
Sigel  and  Eeno’s  division  of  Burnside’s  army. 

The  Second  Day’s  Battle. — Pope  had  strengthened  his 
right  wing.  The  greater  part  of  the  morning  was  taken  up 
in  maneuvering,  and  the  firing  of  artillery.  Early  in  the 
afternoon  Porter  was  ordered  to  make  a charge  on  the  Con- 
federate line  to  the  right  of  their  center.  They  met  Jack- 
son’s forces  at  close  range  and  came  also  under  the  deadly 
effect  of  Longstreet’s  artillery.  A second  and  third  Federal 
line  was  formed,  but  each  in  turn  was  driven  back  in  great 
confusion  and  with  heavy  loss. 

General  Lee  now  ordered  a general  advance  of  the  whole 
army,  whereupon  Longstreet  urged  his  men  against  the  Fed- 
eral left  and  center. 

The  Federals  were  now  in  a critical  place  if  Longstreet’s 
corps  should  seize  their  line  of  retreat  and  command  the 
stone  bridge  over  Bull  Eun.  His  advance,  however,  was 
partly  checked  hy  Buchanan’s  regulars  of  Porter’s  corps,  sup- 
ported hy  Eeynolds’  and  Eicketts’  divisions,  which  had  seized 
the  plateau  about  the  famous  Henry  House.  However,  the 
Confederate  advance  was  steady  and  deteimiined.  The  Fed- 
erals were  forced  across  Bull  Eun  to  Centerville,  where  the 
forces  of  Franklin  and  Sumner,  19,000  strong,  were  ready 
to  reinforce  them.  On  August  31  Jackson  was  sent  by  way 
of  Sudley  Ford  to  Chantilly, — in  Pope’s  rear, — but  on  ac- 
count of  the  inclemency  of  the  weather  and  the  great  fatigue 
of  his  fearfully  tried  troops  he  did  not  reach  his  destination 
until  about  5 p.  m.,  September  1.  A cold  and  drenching  rain- 
storm beat  in  the  Confederates’  faces  as  they  made  their 
attack  against  Eeno  and  Kearney.  The  Federals  lost  their 
brave  leader.  General  Keaniey,  and  were  forced  to  retire. 

While  Jackson  was  making  his  favorite  flank  movement 
toward  Chantilly  Longstreet  had  pushed  forward  toward 
Centerville.  Pope  fell  back  to  Germantown,  and,  after  J ack- 


POPE’S  CAMPAIGN"  IN  VIEGINIA 


111 


son’s  attack,  ordered  his  whole  army  for  safety  hack  to  the 
works  of  Alexandria. 

Results  of  Second  Manassas  Campaign.—  The  Union 
force  engaged  in  this  campaign  from  August  16  to  Septem- 
ber 2 amonnted  to  75,696  men.  They  lost  in  killed  1724,  in 
wounded  8372,  in  missing  6000,  and  30  pieces  of  artillery, 
2000  small  arms,  many  supplies,  and  numerous  colors. 

The  number  of  Confederates  engaged  Avas  48,527  men. 
They  had  lost  9108,  killed  and  Avounded,  and  scarcely  100 
prisoners. 

President  Lincoln  was  greatly  depressed  over  the  fearful 
failure  of  Pope.  On  September  2,  1862,  General  McClellan 
was  reappointed  commander-in-chief  of  all  the  troops  for  the 
defense  of  Washington. 

The  Confederates, — soldiers  and  people, — Avere  again 
greatly  elated,  and  rejoiced  over  their  triumphs.  They  had 
every  confidence  in  their  leaders,  and  in  their  eventual  success. 


CHAPTER  XVI 


lee’s  first  invasion  of  MARYLAND' 

After  tlie  second  battle  of  Manassas  had  been  fought,  Lee 
was  reinforced  by  D.  H.  Hill’s  fresh  troops.  Wishing  to 
push  his  great  victory  and  hoping  thereby  to  stimulate  anew 
interest  in  the  Southern  cause  among  the  inhabitants  of 
Maryland,  he  headed  his  army  (September  3)  toward  Lees- 
burg and,  unopposed,  he  crossed  the  Potomac  at  Erederick. 
Here  on  September  8 he  issued  an  address  to  the  people  of 
Maryland ; but  the  section  he  was  in  had  been  more  closely 
allied  with  Pennsylvania  than  with  Virginia,  and  the  people 
were  either  indifferent  to  the  Southern  cause  or  in  sympathy 
with  the  Federal  Government.  Baltimore  was  held  in  the 
hands  of  the  powerful  Federal  Government;  consequently  few 
recruits  were  gathered.  Most  of  the  Marylanders  who  were 
in  hearty  sympathy  with  the  Confederates  and  had  been  able 
to  join  its  armies  had  already  cast  in  their  lot  with  the  South- 
erners. The  ragged  veterans  of  the  Confederacy,  who  had 
defeated  the  brilliant  and  splendidly  equipped  armies  of  the 
Xorth,  were  regarded  with  a lack  of  confidence.  General 
Lee  had  anticipated  that  as  he  advanced  into  Maryland 
Harper’s  Ferry,  where  12,000  Federal  soldiers  were  stationed, 
would  be  evacuated.  This  not  being  the  case,  he  was  com- 
pelled to  divide  his  forces  and  send  Jackson  to  capture  it. 

At  this  juncture  there  occurred  one  of  those  curious  inci- 
dents, which  have  many  times  in  history  caused  the  plans 
of  the  greatest  generals  to  be  frustrated.  A letter,  which 
had  been  sent  to  D.  H.  Hill  fell  into  the  hands  of  McClellan 
at  the  most  opportune  moment  and  gave  to  him  the  line  of 

112 


Facing  Page  112 


The  Country  from  the  Potomac  to  Harrisburg. 


LEE’S  EIEST  lETASIOE"  OE  MAKYLAND  113 


march  and  plan  that  Lee’s  army  intended  to  follow.  It  had 
been  picked  np  from  the  ground,  where  perhaps  it  had  been 
carelessly  thrown.  Why  so  valuable  a paper  should  not  have 
been  more  carefully  preserved  is  one  of  the  strange  facts 
of  history.  McClellan,  who  had  been  in  the  dark  as  to  Lee’s 
movements,  was  now  enabled  to  make  the  most  intelligent  dis- 
position of  his  great  army.  The  letter  was  dated  September 
9 and  was  given  to  McClellan  on  September  13.  McClellan 
now  hastened  to  attack  Lee’s  right  wing,  which  was  com- 
manded by  Longstreet  and  Hill.  On  September  14  Hooker 
and  Eeno,  who  led  the  Federal  troops,  found  Hill  at  Turner’s 
Gap  or  South  Moiintain. 

Battle  of  South  Mountain. — About  3 p.  m.  on  Septem- 
ber 14  D.  H.  Hill’s  forces  were  attacked  by  a greatly  superior 
army  of  the  Eederals.  The  battle  was  fought  with  determina- 
tion on  both  sides.  Longstreet,  with  part  of  his  command, 
came  to  Hill’s  aid  late  in  the  afternoon.  The  Confederates, 
with  great  difficulty,  were  able  to  hold  their  position  until 
9 p.  m.,  when  darkness  put  an  end  to  the  conflict.  The  Fed- 
erals  had  28,500  men  engaged;  and  lost  in  killed  325,  in 
wounded  1403,  and  in  missing  100, — making  a total  of 
1828.  The  Confederates  had  only  5000  men  in  the  early 
part  of  the  engagement;  and  as  Longstreet  had  brought  only  a 
third  of  his  command  of  13,000  men, — the  rest  being  with 
J ackson, — the  total  number  of  Confederates  engaged  at  the 
battle  of  South  Mountain  was  a little  over  9000.  The  Con- 
federates’ position  aided  them  greatly;  for  it  saved  Lee  and 
Jackson  not  only  a gi’eat  amount  of  trouble  but  their  supply 
wagons  as  well.  Hill  retired  during  the  night  after  a loss 
of  less  than  2000  men.  There  were  few  more  courageous 
defenses  than  this  during  the  whole  war. 

Battle  at  Crampton  Pass. — General  Franklin,  at  noon 
on  the  14th  of  September,  attacked  the  Confederates’  left  at 
Crampton  Pass, — some  seven  miles  south  of  Turner’s  Gap ; 
and  after  a hard  fight  of  three  hours  General  McLaws,  the 


114 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


Confederate  commander,  was  forced  to  retreat.  The  Fed- 
erals  lost  here  500  men;  but  the  stubborn  resistance  the 
Union  forces  had  encountered  in  the  passes  had  given  Jack- 
son  time  to  invest  Harper’s  Ferry,  which  he  did  on  the  morn- 
ing of  September  15. 

Capture  of  Harper’s  Ferry. — • This  place  was  under  the 
command  of  Gen.  Dixon  S.  Miles.  The  attack  began  at 
dawn  of  the  15th  from  the  heights  around  the  town,  and  in 
ahoiit  two  hours  the  garrison  was  forced  to  surrender.  Gen- 
eral Miles,  as  he  was  raising  the  flag  of  truce,  was  killed  by  a 
stray  bullet.  Yearly  13,000  men,  73  guns,  13,000  small 
arms  and  enonnous  quantities  of  military  stores  were  taken 
as  the  result  of  this  rapid  move  by  the  Confederates. 

Battle  of  Antietam,  or  Sharpsburg. — After  the  cap- 
ture of  Harper’s  Ferry  Lee  decided  to  concentrate  his  army 
at  Sharpsburg.  By  the  16th  of  September  the  army  of  the 
Confederates  Avas  in  a strong  position.  Longstreet  and  D.  H. 
Hill  were  on  the  hills  between  Sharpsburg  and  Antietam 
Creek;  with  Longstreet  on  the  right  of  the  Boonesboro  road. 
Hill  on  the  immediate  left,  and  Jackson  on  the  extreme  left. 
The  place  of  battle  chosen  by  Lee  was  well  located  for  the 
defensUe.  The  little  village  of  Shai’pshurg  Avas  surrounded 
by  a gToup  of  hills ; due  west  flowed  the  Potomac  Eiver,  while 
on  the  east  side  Antietam  Creek  wound  its  way  through  the 
valley  in  sinuous,  sluggish  fashion.  In  front  of  this  little 
country  town  lay  well-cultivated  flelds  of  wheat  and  com, — 
most  of  them  fenced.  Toward  the  east  the  peaks  of  the  Blue 
Eidge  were  outlined  against  the  sky.  The  beauty  of  the  sur- 
roundings seemed  to  protest  against  the  fearful  storm  of  battle 
that  was  soon  to  occur  here. 

The  gTeat  curve  of  the  Potomac  allowed  each  of  Lee’s 
flanks  to  rest  on  the  hanks  of  the  river,  but  his  center  was  two 
or  three  miles  to  the  front.  Lee  had  crossed  Antietam  Creek 
September  15  and  foimed  his  line  of  battle  on  the  hills 
lying  to  the  west.  The  creek  was  spanned  by  four  bridges 


LEE’S  FIEST  INVASION  OF  MAEYLAND  115 


leading  to  Sliarpsburg.  In  the  afternoon  of  tbe  16tli  there 
had  been  a skirmish  between  Hood’s  brigade  and  that 
of  Hooker,  but  no  effect  had  been  made  on  the  Confederate 
line.  Almost  the  whole  of  the  16th  had  been  spent  by  Mc- 
Clellan in  arranging  his  commands  and  studying  the  problem 
before  him.  General  Lee  was  scarcely  able  to  ride  owing  to 
severe  injuries  to  both  hands  that  he  had  received  just  previous 
to  this  battle. 

About  sunrise  of  the  l7th  the  Federal  artillery  opened  upon 
the  Confederates’  left,  concentrating  an  especially  severe  fire 
against  Hood’s  brigades.  There  was  alternating  success ; but 
as  rapidly  as  the  Federal  forces  were  repulsed  new  troops 
filled  in  the  gap.  At  7 a.  m.  Mansfield,  with  10,000  fresh 
troops,  moved  to  the  support  of  Hooker ; but  as  he  was  arrang- 
ing his  forces  the  veteran  general  was  killed.  Conditions  were 
becoming  serious  for  the  Confederates’  left;  but  the  timely 
arrival  of  McLaws,  with  four  brigades,  changed  the  tide  of 
battle.  The  Federal  lines  gave  way  and  were  driven  beyond 
the  position  that  they  had  occupied  in  the  beginning.  The 
assaults  were  renewed  several  times  on  the  left  by  the  Fed- 
erals;  but  they  were  repulsed.  When  the  fearful  carnage 
had  lasted  six  hours  McClellan,  with  heavy  forces  under 
Franklin  and  Sumner,  endeavored  to  crush  the  Confederate 
center.  It  was  not  until  after  3 p.  m.  that  Burnside  started 
his  movement  against  the  Confederates’  right.  His  delay 
had  allowed  Gen.  A.  P.  Hill  to  arrive  with  4000  men  from 
Harper’s  Ferry  (4  p.  m.).  His  arrival  was  at  the  most 
opportune  time  to  aid  Gen.  D.  E.  Jones,  and  the  two  to- 
gether succeeded  in  driving  Burnside’s  troops  back  toward 
the  bridge  across  Antietam  Creek.  General  Toombs  now 
charged  the  Federal  flanks  supported  by  Archer.  Burnside’s 
forces  finally  retired  to  their  batteries  beyond  the  river. 

The  loss  on  the  Federal  side  was  very  heavy.  Generals 
Mansfield  and  Eeno  were  killed,  while  Hooker  and  Meagher 
were  wounded.  The  heaviest  loss  was  on  the  Union  right. 


116 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAK 


The  total  loss  was  13,000  killed  and  wounded,  and  1000 
missing.  McClellan  had  60,000  men  actively  employed,  but 
there  were  8Y,000  that  he  could  have  used. 

The  Confederates  lost  10,000  killed,  wounded  and  missing. 
According  to  Lee’s  figures  he  had  only  27,255  infantry,  and 
8000  cavalry  and  artillery  engaged  in  this  fearful  contest. 
The  combat  on  the  Confederate  side  was  fought  with  the 
greatest  skill  and  judgment.  While  McClellan  had  allowed 
his  troops  to  fight  only  in  successive  charges  and  assaults, 
there  was  a lack  of  unity  and  a great  number  of  available 
troops  were  not  employed. 

Both  armies  were  so  exhausted  that  the  battle  was  not 
renewed  on  the  following  day.  Lee  did  not  have  a suflScient 
force  to  assume  the  offensive,  so  he  withdrew  during  the  night 
of  the  18th  to  Shepherdstown,  south  of  the  Potomac. 

After  Lee’s  withdrawal  McClellan  proclaimed  the  battle 
of  Antietam  a Federal  victory,  although  the  Federal  army 
had  lost  the  greater  number  of  men.  The  Maryland  Cam- 
paign had  cost  the  Federals  some  26,000  men  and  large  quan- 
tities of  supplies,  captured  at  Harper’s  Ferry  by  Jackson. 
The  Confederates  had  lost  in  the  whole  campaign  about  12,000 
men.  But  Lee  had  been  prevented  from  carrying  the  war  into 
the  ISTorth  on  account  of  his  small  army,  and  he  found  that  the 
Confederacy  could  not  look  north  of  the  Potomac  Eiver  for 
any  material  assistance. 

Proclamation  of  Emancipation. — Lincoln  had  prepared 
the  Proclamation  of  Emancipation  some  time  before  the 
events  just  narrated  and  had  anxiously  waited  for  a favorable 
opportunity  to  make  it  public.  After  McClellan  had  pro- 
claimed Antietam  a victory,  he  believed  that  the  time  was  ripe 
to  publish  it  to  the  world.  This  document,  which  had  been 
read  to  the  Cabinet  on  July  21,  was  issued  September  22, 
1862. 

The  effect  upon  the  whole  South  was  a firmer  consolidation 


LEE’S  EIEST  INVASION  OF  MAEYLAND  117 


in  its  efforts  to  carry  the  war  to  a successful  conclusion.  This 
was  one  of  the  most  trying  periods  to  the  border  States,  where 
there  were  large  numbers  of  slave-holders. 

The  attitude  with  which  the  Proclamation  was  received  in 
the  North  was  variable.  Among  the  Abolitionists  it  was 
hailed  with  favor,  while  the  Eepublicans  were  surprised,  and 
the  Democrats  denoimced  it  as  contrary  to  their  faith  and 
refused  it  their  support.  Lincoln  was  worried  over  the  dis- 
cord with  which  it  was  received  and  was  very  anxious  now 
that  the  Federal  army  gain  a real  victory  instead  of  a ques- 
tionable one.  He  visited  the  army  under  McClellan  Oc- 
tober 1,  and  on  October  6 ordered  McClellan  across  the  Po- 
tomac. McClellan  said  that  delay  was  absolutely  necessary  to 
supply  his  men  with  shoes,  horses,  and  tents.  However, 
urged  by  Lincoln,  McClellan  crossed  the  Potomac  below 
Harper’s  Ferry  on  October  26,  and  marched  along  the  eastern 
slopes  of  the  Blue  Eidge  with  an  army  100,000  strong.  But 
the  frequent  differences  that  had  arisen  between  the  Wash- 
ington authorities  caused  McClellan  to  be  released  from  the 
command  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  November  7,  1862. 
The  explanation  for  this  sudden  action  of  President  Lincoln 
and  his  advisers  has  never  been  satisfactorily  made.  Gen- 
eral Burnside  was  placed  in  McClellan’s  position. 


CHAPTEE  XVII 


LEEi’s  MOVEMENTS  AETEE  ANTIETAM 

Meanwhile  Lee  had  moved  to  the  south  side  of  the  Potomac 
as  far  as  Winchester.  He  had  ordered  General  Stuart,  with 
1500  cavalry,  to  reconnoiter  as  far  north  as  Chambersburg, 
Pa.  General  Stuart  destroyed  many  valuable  stores  of  the 
Federal  army,  paroled  several  hundred  troops,  and  his  own 
small  force  passed  completely  around  the  Federal  army. 

When  Lee  learned  of  the  movements  of  McClellan  toward 
Warrenton,  Longstreet  was  sent  to  Culpeper  Court  House, 
Xovember  3,  and  Jackson  moved  toward  Eichmond. 

Fredericksburg. — When  Burnside  assumed  command 
(Xovember  9)  by  agreement  with  President  Lincoln  and 
General  Halleck,  he  at  once  began  to  move  his  army  toward 
Fredericksburg,  situated  on  the  Eappahannock.  Sumner, 
with  his  advance,  on  Xovember  17  arrived  at  Falmouth,  on 
the  north  side  of  the  river;  but  delayed  the  time  of  crossing 
his  33,000  men  in  accordance  with  Burnside’s  orders.  The 
Confederates  had  only  four  companies  of  infantry,  a regi- 
ment of  cavalry  and  one  battery  at  Fredericksburg.  Four 
days  afterward  Longstreet  arrived  and  fortified  Marye’s 
Heights.  Hot  until  Hovember  28  was  Jackson  ordered  by 
Lee  to  unite  with  Longstreet. 

On  the  21st  of  Hovember  most  of  Burnside’s  army  was  at 
Stafford  Heights;  but  Burnside  delayed  further  action  until 
November  25,  awaiting  the  pontoons. 

The  town  of  Fredericksburg  lies  in  a small  plain  on  the 
right  side  of  the  Eappahannock,  back  of  which  the  Con- 
federates were  fortifying  a range  of  hills  called  Marye, 

118 


LEE’S  MOVEMENTS  AFTER  ANTIETAM  119 


Willis,  and  Telegraph.  By  December  10  Burnside  had  con- 
centrated on  the  left  hank  of  the  river  his  magnificent  army 
of  104,903  infantry,  5884  cavalry,  and  5896  artillery.  The 
to'wn  of  Falmouth  lay  on  his  left,  one  mile  above  Fredericks- 
burg, and  from  here  Stafford  Heights,  reaching  to  the  water’s 
edge,  extended  down  the  river.  The  Federal  army  from 
this  position  completely  commanded  the  river,  town,  and 
plain  beyond.  Either  army  in  assuming  the  offensive  would 
be  exposed  to  a most  destructive  fire  of  artillery  and  small 
arms.  The  Federal  general  had  by  a threat  of  bombardment 
forced  the  inhabitants  to  abandon  Fredericksburg. 

Burnside  had  given  Lee  ample  opportunity  to  perfect  his 
line  of  defense.  At  3 a.  m.,  December  11,  Burnside  began 
crossing  the  river,  and  for  the  next  sixteen  hours  the  army  was 
annoyed  but  not  seriously  Ifindered,  by  the  skillful  marksman- 
ship of  the  picked  Confederate  sharp-shooters.  By  the 
night  of  December  12  Burnside’s  army,  with  220  cannons, 
had  crossed  the  river.  On  December  13  at  7 a.  m.,  the  Fed- 
eral general  had  87,000  men  in  line  of  battle.  Sumner’s 
command  (27,000)  was  on  the  left  and  Franklin’s  (60,000) 
held  the  ground  on  the  right  and  along  the  old  turnpike  lead- 
ing to  Richmond.  General  Hooker  with  26,000  men  re- 
mained on  the  north  side  to  give  support  to  whatever  part  of 
the  army  most  needed  it. 

Burnside  had  ordered  Franklin  to  attack  the  Confederates 
on  the  left  flank.  Meade’s  division  was  ordered  forward 
and  it  drove  A.  P.  Hill  back  from  his  line  of  defense  at  1 
p.  m. ; but  the  divisions  of  Early  and  Taliaferro  compelled  the 
forces  of  Doubleday  and  Gibbon  backward,  while  the  com- 
mand of  Meade  was  unsupported.  This  caused  the  Federals 
to  withdraw  from  trying  to  force  the  Confederates’  right 
flank. 

At  noon  Sumner  was  ordered  with  all  his  forces  to  storm 
the  front  of  Maiye  Heights.  Generals  French,  Hancock,  and 
Howard,  with  brave  zeal,  made  an  effort  at  the  fruitless  task 


12(> 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


but  were  repeatedly  repulsed.  At  2 p.  m.  Hooker,  with 
26,000  reserves,  was  ordered  to  assist  Sumner.  He  tried  to 
reason  with  Burnside,  telling  him  that  it  was  only  a useless 
slaughter  of  his  army,  but  to  no  avail.  He  too  was  driven 
back  with  fearful  loss.  The  assault  was  made  six  times  by 
the  brave  soldiers  of  the  Union  army,  hut  at  nightfall  the 
Federals  had  been  repulsed  at  every  point. 

Darkness  now  covered  the  plain  along  the  Rappahannock 
where  lay  a very  much  shattered  and  demoralized  army. 
General  Lee  did  not  realize  the  fearful  carnage  that  had  been 
wrought  in  the  army  under  Burnside’s  command,  and  he  ex- 
pected a renewal  of  the  battle  on  December  14. 

The  Union  army,  however,  remained  in  Fredericksburg  on 
the  14th  and  15th  of  December  and  crossed  to  the  north 
side  of  the  river  on  the  night  of  the  15th  during  a storm  of 
wind  and  rain. 

The  Federals  had  lost  1284  killed,  9600  wounded,  and 
1769  missing, — a total  of  12,653.  The  Confederates  lost 
during  these  movements  608  killed,  4116  wounded,  and  653 
missing, — a total  of  5377.  Among  the  Confederates  killed 
were  two  men,  not  only  conspicuous  as  brave  and  capable 
military  leaders  but  distinguished  as  brilliant  statesmen. 
One  of  these,  Gen.  Maxey  Gregg,  of  South  Carolina,  as 
he  was  dying  uttered  these  words  of  the  most  sublime  patriot- 
ism and  heroism:  “ Tell  the  Governor  of  South  Carolina  I 
cheerfully  yield  my  life  for  the  independence  of  my  State.” 
The  other,  Gen.  Thomas  R.  Cobb,  the  noted  and  brave 
Georgian,  fell  fatally  wounded  at  the  stone  wall  he  had  so 
bravely  defended. 

After  nearly  half  a century  has  passed  children  and  grand- 
children of  these  brave  Federals  and  Confederates,  who 
fought  for  the  right  as  they  saw  the  right,  can  well  recall 
and  be  proud  of  the  magnificent  valor  and  self-sacrifice  of 
their  soldier  sires.  , 

At  the  time  of  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg  General  Lee 


LEE’S  MOVEMENTS  AFTER  ANTIETAM  121 


was  severely  censured  by  some  of  tbe  Confederates  for  not 
leaving  bis  fortifications  and  following  up  tbis  great  victory ; 
but  be  did  not  comprebend  fully  tbe  dreadful  blow  tbe  Eed- 
erals  bad  received  on  tbe  13tb.  Besides,  bis  army  was 
30,000  less  in  number  than  that  of  bis  adversary,  wbo  bad 
means  of  retreat  over  tbe  pontoons  and  wbo  could  bave 
seriously  injured  tbe  Confederates  with  tbeir  inaccessible 
batteries  along  Stafford  Heights,  bad  Lee  left  bis  fortifica- 
tions. Lee  expected  further  assaults  on  bis  position  until 
tbe  morning  of  December  16  revealed  tbe  fact  that  tbe  Eed- 
erals  bad  crossed  tbe  Rappahannock. 

Franklin  was  censured  for  not  supporting  Meade  at  tbe 
only  time  the  Federals  bad  any  hopes  of  success;  and  Burn- 
side lost  by  this  disaster  tbe  confidence  of  the  army.  He, 
however,  tried  again  to  cross  tbe  river  above  tbe  town  of 
Fredericksburg  on  January  20, — a move  that  bad  been  pro- 
tested against  by  bis  corps  commander, — but  a severe  wind- 
storm prevented  him.  He  now  recognized  that  it  would  be 
best  to  resign  and  asked  the  President  to  accept  bis  resigna- 
tion. After  a few  days,  on  January  25,  an  order  was  issued 
by  Lincoln  relieving  Burnside  of  command  of  tbe  Army  of 
the  Potomac  and  placing  Gen.  Joseph  Hooker  in  command. 

Tbis  fearful  battle  closed  tbe  campaign  of  1862  in  tbe 
East.  There  had  been  terrible  fighting.  Tbe  Confederates 
bad  more  than  held  tbeir  own  under  tbe  leadership  of  such 
men  as  Lee,  Jackson,  Longstreet,  and  Hill.  They  bad,  with 
inferior  numbers,  time  and  again  repulsed  tbe  well  equipped 
and  gallantly  commanded  armies  of  tbe  Federals.  Had  tbe 
war  in  tbe  West  been  as  constantly  favorable  to  tbe  Con- 
federate cause  as  that  in  tbe  East  during  tbe  year  1862,  tbe 
Confederacy  could  bave  looked,  with  brighter  hopes,  for  ulti- 
mate success. 


CHAPTER  XVIII 


THE  WESTERN  CAMPAIGN  DURING  THE!  LATTER  PART  OF  THE 

YE'AR  1862 

After  Beauregard  had  retreated  to  Tupelo,  Miss.,  his 
health  having  to  a certain  extent  become  impaired,  about 
the  middle  of  June  he  sought  rest.  At  this  period  Gen. 
Braxton  Bragg  assumed  command  of  the  army,  which  con- 
sisted of  50,000  men.  Gen.  Kirby  Smith  was  then  in 
command  of  11,000  troops  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.  General 
Van  Dorn  was  sent  to  strengthen  and  fortify  Port  Hudson 
and  Vicksburg  and  the  great  difficulty  that  the  Federals  had 
to  surmount  in  their  capture  speaks  well  for  his  work. 
Preceding  the  great  field  campaign  which  Bragg  made,  the 
line  of  communication  in  Buell’s  rear  was  seriously  hampered 
and  greatly  demoralized  by  the  cavalry  raid  of  Gen.  John 
H.  Morgan,  who  had  left  Knoxville  on  July  4 with  less  than 
two  regiments  of  cavalry.  He  passed  through  17  towns  to 
Glasgow,  Harrodsburg,  and  Cynthiana  destroying  millions 
of  dollars  of  United  States  military  stores,  capturing  a thou- 
sand Federal  soldiers,  and  by  July  28  was  back  in  Livingston, 
Tenn.,  with  a loss  of  only  90  men. 

At  the  time  that  Van  Dom  was  ordered  to  Vicksburg  Bragg 
discerned  that  Chattanooga  on  the  Tennessee  was  a strong 
strategic  point.  Divisions  of  the  Hardee  and  Polk  corps 
were  sent  to  occupy  the  city,  where  they  arrived  during  the 
early  part  of  July.  Halleck  on  June  10  had  also  ordered 
Buell  to  send  sufficient  forces  to  occupy  Chattanooga ; but  on 
account  of  delayed  transportation  and  repairing  of  railroads 
the  Federals  arrived  only  in  time  to  see  Bragg’s  army  strongly 
fortifying  the  city. 


122 


CAMPAIGI^’  DURIlSrG  LATTER  PART  OE  1862  123 


The  Eederal  armies  in  the  West  consisted  at  this  time  of 
the  Army  of  Tennessee  and  Mississippi, — under  the  com- 
mand of  Generals  Grant,  Sherman  and  Rosecrans, — which 
extended  from  Corinth  to  Holly  Springs  and  Memphis.  Gen- 
eral Buell  was  at  Hashville  in  command  of  the  Army  of  the 
Ohio ; and  the  Eederal  General  Morgan  was  at  Cumberland 
Gap  in  command  of  12,000  men. 

About  July  11,  shortly  after  Gen.  John  Morgan  had 
started  on  his  raid  to  Kentucky,  Gen.  K.  Bl  Eorrest  left 
Chattanooga  with  2000  men,  went  to  Altamont  and  McMinn- 
ville, and  surprised  Gen.  T.  T.  Crittenden  at  Murfrees- 
boro, capturing  the  whole  force  of  the  Federal  general. 
This  broke  Buell’s  connection  between  Chattanooga  and  Kash- 
ville  and  aroused  the  hope  of  the  Southerners.  On  the  21st 
of  July  Morgan  destroyed  the  important  railroad  bridges  on 
the  Louisville  & Kashville  five  miles  from  Kashville.  On 
August  12  General  Morgan  again  appeared  at  Gallatin,  cap- 
turing 200  men  and  blockading  the  tunnels  on  the  railroad 
so  completely  that  it  took  over  a week  for  the  Eederals  to 
open  the  road  for  traffic. 

The  rest  of  the  summer  and  fall  passed  without  any 
special  incident  happening  in  Morgan’s  command.  By  a 
hard  night’s  march  on  the  6th  of  December,  1862,  Morgan 
crossed  the  Cumberland  River  near  Hartsville,  Tenn.,  and 
at  daybreak  on  the  Yth,  with  700  infantry  and  500  cavalry, 
attacked  and  captured  in  about  two  hours  1800  Federal  sol- 
diers, 2 cannons,  2000  small  arms,  and  considerable  supplies. 

In  the  early  part  of  August  General  Bragg  had  concen- 
trated his  forces  at  Chattanooga,  where  he  awaited  all  his  ar- 
tillery and  baggage,  preparatory  to  his  expected  movement 
northward. 

About  August  17  General  Kelson  was  sent  to  central  Ken- 
tucky to  organize  a command  to  protect  Buell’s  communi- 
cation. 

Battle  of  Richmond.— Gen.  Kirby  Smith,  as  agreed 


124 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


upon  after  his  conference  with  Bragg  at  Chattanooga  early  in 
August, — with  10,000  men  assisted  by  two  brigades  under 
the  energetic  leadership  of  Gen.  P.  E.  Cleburne  and 
Col.  Preston  Smith, — had  left  Knoxville  and  turned  the 
right  flank  of  Cumberland  Gap.  On  August  26  Smith’s  ad- 
vance passed  Barboursville  and  late  August  29  arrived  within 
flve  or  six  miles  of  Eichmond,  where  7000  Federal  troops, 
under  Gen.  M.  D.  Manson  were  stationed.  This  force 
Smith  attacked  in  the  early  morning  of  the  30th, — the  same 
day  on  which  a fearful  battle  was  being  waged  for  the  second 
time  on  the  old  field  of  Bull  Eun.  The  tide  of  victoi'y  was 
rapidly  going  toward  the  Confederates,  the  Federals  were 
being  driven  in  rout  back  into  Eichmond,  and  though  at  about 
2 p.  m.  General  Kelson  ai’rived  on  the  field,  his  efforts  were 
of  no  avail.  Kelson  was  wounded  and  narrowly  escaped 
capture,  while  Manson  was  captured.  Kone  of  the  Federal 
regiments  was  left  intact;  200  men  were  killed;  1000 
wounded,  and  5000  made  prisoners.  The  Confederate  re- 
ward was  10,000  small  arms,  9 cannons,  and  a large  supply 
of  war  material. 

Smith  reported  a loss  of  about  500  killed  and  wounded. 
The  Federal  forces  now  retired  to  Louisville  and  Covington ; 
on  September  2 Smith  entered  Lexington  and  on  the  17th 
he  marched  into  Frankfort. 

Bragg’s  Invasion  of  Kentucky. — On  August  28  Gen- 
eral Bragg,  by  a sudden  and  rapid  movement,  crossed  Wal- 
den’s Eidge  into  the  Valley  of  the  Sequatchie,  and  marched 
up  the  valley  to  Pikeville,  then  to  Sparta, — going  around 
Thomas  at  McMinnville  while  he  sent  a force  toward  Kash- 
ville  as  a blind, — crossed  the  Cumberland  Eiver  and  entered 
Kentucky  September  5.  Bragg  now  continued  to  the  east 
of  Bowling  Green  and  reached  Glasgow  September  13.  Gen- 
eral Buell  was  at  Kashville  when,  on  September  7,  he  dis- 
covered Bragg’s  design,  and  at  once  started  in  pursuit  in  a 
race  toward  Louisville.  On  September  15  Buell  reached 


CAIIPAIGIT  DURING  LATTER  PART  OF  1862  125 


Bowling  Green,  30  miles  sontiiwest  of  Glasgow,  at  the  very 
time  that  Bragg  left  the  latter  place. 

On  September  17  Bragg  captured  the  Federal  garrison  at 
Munfordville,  an  important  town  on  the  Green  River  twenty 
miles  north  of  Glasgow.  There  were  surrendered  4267  men, 
10  cannons,  5000  small  arms,  a large  quantity  of  ammunition, 
and  many  horses  and  mules. 

Bragg  had  so  far  been  markedly  successful  in  his  move- 
ments and  as  he  was  now  directly  in  Buell’s  path  toward 
Louisville,  it  seemed  as  if  this  was  a great  opportunity  for 
the  Confederates  to  give  battle  to  the  advancing  Federal  army. 
Bragg  claimed  that  he  was  not  sufficiently  strong  to  do  this 
without  a union  with  Kirby  Smith  and  that,  too,  the  army 
had  only  three  days’  rations ; and  he  now  turned  his  army’s 
face  in  the  direction  of  Bardstown.  General  Buell  reached 
Louisville  September  29,  while  Bragg  made  his  junction  with 
General  Smith  (October  1—4)  at  Frankfort  and  Lexington. 

Perryville. — On  October  1 General  Buell  ordered  his 
army  from  Louisville  to  force  a battle  with  Bragg. 
Gen.  A.  McD.  McCook  w'as  in  command  of  Buell’s  left 
corps  and  moved  toward  Frankfort ; Generals  Gilbert  and 
Crittenden  were  in  command  of  the  center  and  right  corps 
and  marched  toward  Bardstown. 

On  learning  of  Buell’s  move.  General  Polk  was  ordered  by 
Bragg  to  move  toward  Harrodsburg;  and  by  October  6 the 
head  of  Polk’s  colmnn  reached  the  town.  Bragg  received 
word  by  the  7th  that  Hardee’s  division  at  Perryville  was 
being  pressed  by  the  Federal  force.  Polk  was  now  given 
written  orders  to  hasten  with  Cheatham’s  division  to  aid 
Hardee  at  Perryville,  where  they  arrived  at  midnight  of  the 
7th.  The  Confederate  army  and  the  Federal  were  both  very 
much  scattered.  The  Confederate  forces  on  the  morning  of 
October  8 at  Perryville  consisted  of  14,500  infantry  and 
1500  cavalry.  The  Federals  had  25,000  actively  engaged 
in  this  movement. 


126 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


It  was  past  noon  before  tbe  battle  began.  Bragg  Hoped  to 
defeat  McCook’s  corps  before  it  could  be  reinforced.  A 
fierce  figbt  began  for  tbe  control  of  tbe  meager  water  supply ; 
but  tbe  brigade  of  Col.  Dan  McCook  supported  by  tbe 
divisions  of  Mitcbell  and  Sberidan  were  able  to  bold  tbeir 
ground. 

Cbeatbam’s  troops  attacked  tbe  Federal  center  and  left, 
tborougbly  discomfited  the  brigade  under  Terrell,  and  killed 
Webster,  Terrell,  and  General  Jackson,  tbe  division  com- 
mander. About  tbe  same  time  General  Buckner  drove  the 
Federals  back  on  tbe  right.  At  aboiit  4 p.  m.  Buell,  after  an 
appeal  from  McCook,  forwarded  to  him  a division  under 
Scboepf;  but  night  came  on  before  they  were  able  to  render 
any  effectual  assistance.  The  Confederates  held  tbe  field. 

For  tbe  number  engaged  Perryville  must  be  recognized  as 
one  of  tbe  most  stubbornly  fought  and  sanguinary  battles  of 
tbe  Civil  War. 

Tbe  Federals  lost  910  men  killed,  2945  wounded,  and  500 
captured. 

The  Confederates  lost  510  killed,  2635  wounded,  and  251 
missing. 

Bragg  allowed  bis  army  to  rest  upon  the  field  until  mid- 
night, but  realizing  that  Buell  had  an  army  that  was  vastly  ' 
superior  in  number,  he  ordered  his  force  to  move  back  to 
Ilarrodsburg  at  daylight.  At  this  place  he  made  a junction 
with  Kirby  Smith,  and  on  the  lltb  of  October  retired  to 
Bryantsville. 

Bragg  deemed  it  far  best  now  to  retreat  from  Kentucky 
before  tbe  roads  became  impassable  from  the  rain,  for  bis 
army  was  hot  large  enough  to  cope  “with  Buell’s.  On  tbe  13tb 
of  October,  with  Polk  and  Smith,  tbe  Confederates  moved 
toward  Cumberland  Gap,  which  they  safely  passed  (October 
20-24).  One  month  later  the  Confederate  army  was  facing 
Kashville  from  the  south. 

Buell  did  not  start  in  pursuit  of  Bragg  until  October  11, 


CAMPAIGN'  DUEIHG  LATTER  PART  OF  1862  127 


The  Confederates  were  at  no  time  seriously  embarrassed  or 
impeded ; they  moved  slowly  and  deliberately,  taking  all  the 
provisions  and  supplies  the  country  afforded.  The  Federals 
followed  as  far  as  London,  Ky.,  and  then  gave  up  the  pursuit. 
Buell  now  decided  to  send  his  army  by  rail  through  Bowling 
Green  to  Rashville. 

Results  of  Bragg’s  Invasion  of  Kentucky. — The  plan 
and  results  of  Bragg’s  invasion  into  Kentucky  were  subjected 
to  violent  criticism  in  the  South,  hut  they  could  hardly  be 
sustained.  It  seemed  as  if  his  great  opportunity  had  been 
lost  when  he  failed  to  attack  Buell  on  the  way  to  Louisville, 
thus  preventing  the  Federals’  entrance  into  that  city.  Bragg 
claimed  that  his  supplies  were  nearly  out  and  that  a defeat  or 
an  undecisive  battle  would  be  disastrous.  The  general  out- 
come of  the  campaign  was  in  the  main  very  advantageous  to 
the  Confederacy,  and  particularly  to  its  Western  soldiery. 
With  scarcely  40,000  effective  men  at  any  time,  20,000  of 
the  Unionists  had  been  killed,  wounded  or  captured,  30 
pieces  of  artillery  had  been  taken,  and  20,000  small  arms  and 
2,000,000  cartridges  had  been  captured.  The  army  had  lived 
for  two  months  on  the  country  and  had  carried  off  enormous 
numbers  of  horses,  wagons,  military  supplies,  and  large  quan- 
tities of  clothes  of  which  the  anny  was  much  in  need  and 
which  helped  the  soldiers  over  the  winter  of  ’62— ’63,  making 
it  possible  to  prolong  the  war  around  Chattanooga. 

Results  to  the  Federals. — General  Buell  was  severely 
censured  by  the  authorities  at  Washington  for  allowing  Cook’s 
corps  to  be  so  fearfully  beaten  at  Perryville, — when  he  could 
have  supported  him  with  other  coi-ps  that  were  resting  only 
a short  distance  away, — and  for  the  slowness  of  his  pursuit 
of  Bragg,  whom  he  could  possibly  have  drawn  into  battle  and 
prevented  from  escaping  with  so  much  valuable  material  for 
prolonging  the  war. 

Buell  was  removed  when  he  reached  Bowling  Green  (Oc- 
tober 30),  and  Gen.  W.  S.  Rosecrans  was  appointed  in 


128 


HISTOKY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


his  place.  However,  the  removal  was  due  to  a certain  extent 
to  political  jealousy  and  also  to  the  small  successes  of  Eose- 
crans  in  northern  Mississippi,  while  Buell  was  intercepting 
Bragg. 


CHAPTER  XIX 


lUXA  AjSTD  COEINTH 

From  September  19  to  October  4 Eosecrans  bad  been  left 
at  Corinth  while  Buell’s  army  was  moving  toward  Chatta- 
nooga. Gen.  Sterling  Price  at  this  time  occupied  Inka,  a 
town  thirty  miles  southeast  of  Corinth,  on  the  Memphis  & 
Charleston  Railroad. 

Eosecrans,  who  was  with  Grant  during  the  middle  of  Sep- 
tember, now  determined  to  drive  Price  from  his  position, 
therefore  on  the  19th  of  September,  without  any  aid  from 
Grant,  he  attacked  the  ‘‘Old  Missourian”  on  the  Jacinto 
Road,  hut  was  beaten  hack  after  losing  one  battery  and  many 
men.  Price  now  retreated  by  the  Fulton  Road,  joining  Van 
Dorn  and  Lowell  at  Ripley,  Tipton  County,  September  28, 
when  their  united  force  amounted  to  30,000  men.  Price  had 
lost  about  800  men. 

Van  Dorn  Attacks  Eosecrans. — Van  Dorn,  with  the  ad- 
dition of  Price’s  troops,  marched  toward  Pocahontas  and 
crossing  the  Hatchie  River  he  surprised  Eosecrans  on  Oc- 
tober 3.  The  division  of  Eosecrans  was  driven  back  into  the 
inner  intrenchments  by  the  impetuous  attack  of  Price,  and 
two  guns  were  captured.  By  October  4 Eosecrans  had 
strengthened  his  position,  and  during  the  forenoon  the  battle 
was  conducted  with  great  valor  and  determination.  Some  of 
the  Federals’  strongest  positions  were  captured  and  a hand  to 
hand  contest  took  place  in  the  yard  of  Eosecrans’  headquar- 
ters; but  at  an  opportune  time  the  Federal  reserves  were 
brought  up,  and  this  addition  to  the  Federal  strength  caused 
the  now  thinned  ranks  of  Van  Dorn’s  army  to  fall  back.  It 

129 


130 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


was  not  a rout  of  the  Confederates,  but  their  repulse  had 
been  severe.  They  fell  hack  to  Hatchie  Eiver,  where  an 
attack  by  General  Ord  was  repulsed. 

Van  Dom  had  miscalculated  the  strength  of  the  Federal 
army.  The  Federals  had  20,000  men  behind  intrenchments, 
— men  who  were  well  equipped.  The  loss  in  this  campaign 
to  the  Confederates  was  594  killed,  2162  wounded,  2100  pris- 
oners, and  5 pieces  of  artillery.  It  caused  Van  Dom  to  be 
superseded  by  Pemberton  (October  23),  which,  however, 
proved  to  be  one  of  the  greatest  mistakes  of  the  war.  The 
loss  of  the  Federals  was  about  half  that  of  the  Confeder- 
ates,— 2500.  This  success  of  the  Federal  general  in  com- 
mand caused  him  to  be  placed  in  the  position  that  Buell  had 
occupied. 

The  failure  of  Grant’s  Campaign  against  Vicksburg 
in  1862. — After  the  Battles  of  luka  and  Corinth  Grant’s 
headquarters  were  located  at  Jackson,  Tenn.  His  com- 
mand was  considerably  enlarged,  including  the  Mississippi 
divisions.  McPherson’s  army,  consisting  of  11,500  men,  was 
added  to  his  department.  In  the  meantime  Van  Dorn 
(August  5)  had  sent  an  expedition  against  Baton  Rouge;  but 
it  had  failed.  However,  after  this  failure  Van  Dom  had, 
with  great  judgment  and  foresight,  fortified  Vicksburg. 

On  November  11  Grant,  with  57,000  men,  moved  to  Ox- 
ford, Miss.  Pemberton  had  now  (November  26-27)  con- 
centrated 40,000  men  at  Jackson,  Miss. 

On  December  21  General  Sherman,  with  30,000  men,  pro- 
posed to  go  down  the  Mississippi  River  and  attack  Vicksburg. 

On  December  20,  1862,  Van  Dom,  assisted  by  Forrest, 
made  a sudden  attack  upon  the  forces  left  at  Holly  Springs 
under  Colonel  Murphy,  of  the  Eighth  Wisconsin.  All  Grant’s 
supplies,  valued  at  more  than  $2,000,000,  were  either  cap- 
tured or  destroyed  in  addition  to  the  loss  of  2000  soldiers. 
Grant  was  forced  to  give  up  his  campaign  and  return  to  Mem- 
phis, to  escape  starvation,  for  Forrest  had  intercepted  the  Fed- 


ITJKA  Am)  COKINTH 


131 


eral  line  of  communication  almost  to  Columbus,  Ky.  Pem- 
berton now  began  to  concentrate  bis  army  at  Vicksburg. 

Chickasaw  Bluffs. — By  December  25,  1862,  Sherman 
and  Porter  reached  the  mouth  of  the  Yazoo  River  and 
ascended  the  river  13  miles  to  Johnson’s  plantation  where  they 
disembarked,  expecting  to  make  a junction  with  Grant,  of 
whose  failure  they  had  not  heard. 

To  appreciate  the  events  that  transpired  here  we  must 
rmderstand  the  topography  of  the  land.  The  hills  upon  which 
Vicksburg  is  built  take  their  rise  a little  below  the  city  and 
extend  for  15  miles  in  a northeasterly  direction.  The  Mis- 
sissippi River  touches  their  base  at  Vicksburg.  About  nine 
miles  above  Vicksburg  the  Yazoo  skirts  the  base  of  Haines 
Bluff.  These  bluffs  are  as  a rule  precipitous  and  about  200 
feet  high.  The  country  between  the  Yazoo  and  the  Missis- 
sippi is  low,  flat,  and  full  of  streams ; and  the  bluffs  from 
Vicksburg  were  fortified  with  batteries ; while  rifle-pits  and 
abatis  protected  some  of  the  narrow  strips  of  land  between 
Chickasaw  BayoiT  and  the  Bluffs.  These  were  some  of  the 
obstacles  confronting  Sherman,  who  had  expected  Pemberton 
to  be  detained  in  the  front  of  Grant. 

On  December  29  at  about  noon  the  signal  was  given  to  begin 
the  battle,  which  was  initiated  by  an  artillery  duel.  This  was 
followed  by  an  infantry  advance  of  the  Federals  across  a 
slough  and  a sloping  plateau.  Two  strong  attacks  were  made 
by  Generals  Blair,  Morgan,  and  Thayer,  who  were  severely 
repulsed  at  all  points,  sustaining  a heavy  loss  of  2000  men. 
On  the  night  of  December  29  a terrific  rain-storm  occurred. 
During  Tuesday,  December  30,  firing  continued  on  both  sides, 
but  a flag  of  truce  was  sent  in  for  the  combatants  to  bury 
their  dead  and  remove  their  wounded.  Sherman  had  suffered 
a great  failure  and  the  Confederates  the  comparatively  small 
loss  of  267  men. 

Arkansas  Post. — On  January  4,  1863,  General  McCler- 
nand, — a special  friend  of  Lincoln’s, — joined  the  army 


132 


mSTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


under  Sherman  and  assumed  command.  Soon  afterward  he 

# 

conducted  a strong  expedition  against  Fort  Hindman,  or 
Arkansas  Post,  situated  50  miles  up  the  Arkansas  Eiver, 
and  on  January  11  captured  it,  with  its  garrison  of  5,000 
men  and  17  guns  under  the  command  of  Gen.  T.  J.  Church- 
ill. The  fort  was  strong,  but  the  Federal  forces, — which 
numbered  27,000, — without  great  difficulty  overwhelmed  the 
Confederates.  The  Federals  lost  977  men,  killed,  wounded 
and  missing.  The  Confederates  had  60  killed  and  80 
wounded. 

Grant  joined  McClernand  on  February  2,  ISfiS^,  and 
moved  toward  Vicksburg,  assuming  the  chief  command  of  the 
forces. 

Transmississippi  Operations.  Later  Months  of  1862. 
Prairie  Grove.—  General  Holmes,  commanding  the  Trans- 
mississippi Department,  was  stationed  at  Little  Eock  and 
Gen.  T.  C.  Hindman  was  at  Van  Buren,  with  8000  Confed- 
erates. On  ISTovember  28,  1862,  General  Marmaduke  had 
arrived  at  Cane  Hill  with  7000  Confederates.  There  he  was 
confronted  by  Blunt  in  the  Boston  Mountains,  and  a skirmish 
ensued  with  a loss  to  the  Federals  of  40  killed  and  wounded, 
and  75  to  the  Confederates.  The  Confederates  then  retreated 
toward  Van  Buren.  By  December  5 Marmaduke  learned 
that  General  Herron,  with  5000  men,  was  moving  to  rein- 
force Blunt.  General  Hindman  now  proposed  to  engage  each 
army  separately;  so  on  December  6 he  attacked  and  drove 
Blunt’s  outpost  back  and  ordered  his  own  army  to  move  at 
2 p.  m.  toward  Fayetteville.  Here  they  attacked  early  in  the 
morning  and  captured  200  prisoners  from  Herron.  Hindman 
now  divided  his  forces  and  sent  part  of  them  to  intercept 
Blunt ; but  General  Blunt  had  fallen  back. 

Hindman  had  lost  much  valuable  time  and  did  not 
begin  his  general  attack  on  Herron  until  the  afternoon,  which 
allowed  Blunt  to  reinforce  him  before  nightfall.  When  dark- 
ness came  on  the  Federals  had  lost  1000  killed,  wounded,  and 


lUKA  Aro  CORINTH 


133 


captured,  and  had  retreated  six  miles.  The  Confederates  had 
lost  only  TOO  and  had  won  a victory,  hut  Hindman  did  not 
follow  it  up  ; instead  he  left  the  northern  part  of  Arkansas  in 
the  Federals’  hands. 

The  general  conditions  in  Ai’kansas  were  almost  intolerable 
to  the  inhabitants  on  account  of  raiding  bands  of  hostile  In- 
dians, who  were  incited  by  Federal  cavalrymen,  bands  of  law- 
less partisans,  and  gaierillas.  The  tyrannical,  extravagant 
rule  of  General  Hindman  was  much  blamed  for  this  condition ; 
for  he  extended  no  protection  over  large  areas  and  by  his 
command  crops  were  ravaged,  cotton  and  houses  were  burned, 
and  straggling  soldiers  committed  many  lawless  acts.  Yet, 
with  all  of  these  discouragements,  the  general  masses  of  the 
people  were  devoted  and  loyal  to  the  Confederacy. 


CHAPTER  XX 


BATTI.E  OP  MUEFEiEESBORO 

The  fearfully  bloody  year  of  1862  was  brought  to  a 
close  by  one  of  the  most  stubbornly  contested  battles  of 
the  war.  General  Eosecrans,  with  a fine  army  of  46,910 
men,  on  December  26,  1862,  left  Xashville  with  the  purpose 
of  driving  Bragg  from  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  where  he  had 
taken  up  headquarters  for  the  winter.  In  the  meantime  he 
had  sent  Eorrest  to  west  Tennessee  and  Morgan  to  cut  the 
railroad  between  Xashville  and  Louisville, — supposing  the 
Federal  army  to  be  established  for  the  winter  in  Xash- 
ville. 

The  Federal  army  was  commanded  by  McCook  on  the 
right,  Thomas  in  the  center,  and  Crittenden  on  the  left  near 
Stone  River,  where  the  latter  was  facing  the  right  wing  of 
Bragg’s  army  under  Breckinridge  on  the  east  side  of  the  small 
stream.  Bragg’s  army  was  commanded  on  the  left  by  General 
Hardee  and  in  the  center  by  General  Polk. 

The  opposing  generals  had  planned  the  same  character  of 
offensive  battle.  Both  were  strongest  on  their  left  flank.  On 
the  morning  of  December  31,  1862,  at  about  simrise,  Bragg’s 
left  wing,  under  General  Hardee,  made  a furious  assault  on 
Johnson’s  division  of  McCook’s  corps.  The  weather  was  mild 
for  the  time  of  year,  but  a dense  fog  hung  early  in  the  morn- 
ing over  Rosecrans’  right.  The  Confederates’  attack  was 
sudden  and  came  as  a surprise.  Johnson’s  and  Davis’  di- 
visions were  in  succession  swept  away  and  driven  before  the 
impetuous  charge  of  the  divisions  of  Withers,  Cheatham, 
Cleburne,  and  McCown. 


134 


BATTLE  OF  MUEFBEESBORO 


135 


Gen.  Phil.  Sheridan’s  division  next  tried  to  stay  the  tide  of 
the  Confederate  success.  By  an  effectual  arrangement  of  his 
forces  and  concentrated  fire  on  the  advancing  divisions  of 
Withers,  he  momentarily  repulsed  the  Confederates.  Sheri- 
dan was  now  driven  back  and  McCook  urgently  sent  word  to 
Rosecrans  to  hurry  reinforcements.  The  commanding  general 
now  realizing  that  it  would  he  necessary  to  countermand  the 
orders  to  Crittenden  and  Thomas,  sent  Rousseau’s  division,  of 
Thomas’  corps,  and  Van  Cleve’s  division,  of  Crittenden’s 
corps,  to  Sheridan’s  aid.  Meanwhile  Kegley’s  division  of 
Thomas’  corps  had  prevented  Sheridan  from  being  annihi- 
lated, and  their  powerful  and  heroic  resistance  had  given  time 
for  Rosecrans  to  reform  his  battle  line.  By  11  a.  m.  Sheri- 
dan was  forced  to  retire;  and  from  then  until  the  Federals’ 
left  was  rearranged,  the  brunt  of  the  fight  fell  on  Thomas. 
The  Confederates  continued  to  move  toward  the  rear  of  Eose- 
crans’  left. 

Rosecrans  and  Thomas  succeeded  in  forming  the  line  of 
battle  on  high  ground,  and  by  their  coolness  and  deter- 
mined resistance  at  an  opportune  moment  the  Federal  army 
was  saved  from  being  completely  routed.  The  battle  of 
Murfreesboro  was  alternately  carried  over  cleared  cotton 
fields  and  cedar  thickets.  The  mistake  of  having  no  cavalry 
support  at  the  critical  moment  possibly  caused  Bragg  to  fail 
in  winning  a great  and  advantageous  victory. 

The  night  of  December  31  was  almost  cloudless.  Both 
armies  were  much  exhausted.  The  left  wing  of  the  Federals 
had  not  changed  its  position  a great  deal,  but  the  other  part 
of  Rosecrans’  army  had  been  driven  four  miles  back  from 
their  former  position.  The  first  day’s  battle  had  been  one  of 
the  most  sanguinary  of  the  war. 

J anuary  1,  1863,  was  spent  by  both  generals  in  reorganizing 
their  forces  and  preparing  for  further  test  of  their  strength. 

The  morning  of  January  2 was  for  the  greater  part  con- 
sumed in  an  artillery  duel  between  Polk’s  command  and  the 


136 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


Federal  center  and  right,  without  any  material  gain  by  either 
side.  About  I p.  m.  a grand  charge  was  made  by  Breckin- 
ridge’s corps  on  the  right,  which  succeeded  in  driving  Van 
Cleve’s  division  across  Stone  Eiver;  but  reinforcements 
from  Crittenden’s  artillery  and  Hegley’s  two  brigades  were 
hurried  to  the  Federals’  aid,  and  the  Confederates  retreated 
from  their  position.  It  was  now  dark  and  had  begun  to  rain 
heavily,  and  this  ended  the  day’s  fight. 

January  3 was  a rainy,  dreary  day.  Neither  army  was 
willing  or  in  a position  to  begin  another  battle  and  Bragg  de- 
cided to  withdraw  during  the  night.  By  dawn  of  January  4 
his  rear  guard  was  several  miles  south  of  Murfreesboro. 
Only  a cavalry  force  was  left  in  the  town.  Here  Eosecrans 
established  his  headquarters. 

Results. — The  Federals  had  lost  in  killed,  1677;  in 
wounded,  7543;  missing,  3717, — a total  of  13,249  out  of 
43,400  men  engaged.  Middle  Tennessee  was  now  firmly  held 
by  them. 

The  Confederates  had  37,000  men  actively  engaged  and  had 
lost  in  killed,  1294;  in  wounded,  7945,  and  missing,  1027. 
They  had  captured  28  guns  and  a large  supply  of  ammu- 
nition. 

The  closing  scenes  in  the  West  during  the  year  1862  and 
the  depressing  effects  upon  the  North  of  Burnside’s  severe 
repulse  at  Fredericksburg  had  changed  to  some  degree  the 
prospects  of  the  Confederate  cause.  The  stunning  blow  at 
Fort  Donelson  and  the  fall  of  New  Orleans  had  been  offset  by 
the  repulse  of  Sherman  at  Chickasaw  Bluffs,  Grant’s  failure 
and  retreat  from  Mississippi,  and  the  successes  of  Forrest  and 
Morgan  in  severing  the  lines  of  communication  between  the 
Federal  generals.  Bragg’s  spectacular  invasion  of  Kentucky 
and  the  large  captured  supplies  of  military  stores  and  clothing 
for  the  soldiers  aided  the  Southern  cause  greatly.  The 
bloody  battle  of  Murfreesboro  was  undecisive  and  so  was  the 
fate  of  the  Confederacy, 


J ehnS''IS  ot 


CHARLESTON  HARBOR  AND  APPROACHES.  1861-1864 

Facing  Page  137 


CHAPTER  XXI 

EAKLY  MIUTARY  OPERATIONS  OF  1863 

The  year  1863  saw  the  great  Civil  War  reach  its  climax. 
During  that  year  the  Confederate  armies  suffered  such  de- 
cisive misfortunes  both  in  the  East  and  in  the  West  that 
the  permanent  establishment  of  the  Confederacy  became  a 
matter  of  doubt. 

The  military  operations  of  the  winter  and  spring,  in  the 
majority  of  which  the  Confederates  were  successful,  were 
of  necessity  almost  altogether  on  the  coast. 

General  McClellan  had  left  General  Keyes  and  his  corps 
at  Yorktown,  Williamsburg,  Suffolk,  and  Xorfolk  at  the  time 
when  he  was  recalled  from  the  Peninsular  Campaign. 

Major-Gen.  John  J.  Peck,  with  9,000  men,  occupied 
Suffolk, — an  important  city  on  account  of  the  railroad  and 
the  rich  agricultural  country  behind  it.  Peck  made  a great 
effort  to  fortify  the  place  securely  late  in  January,  1863,  an 
act  that  was  interpreted  at  Richmond  to  mean  that  he  was 
preparing  there  a base  for  great  military  action.  The  Con- 
federates, under  General  Pryor,  moved  toward  Suffolk,  and 
half-way  between  Blackwater  River  and  the  city  they  defeated 
a force  of  the  Eederals  and  retired. 

Plan  of  the  Richmond  Authorities  to  Recover  the 
Virginia  and  North  Carolina  Coast. — General  Longstreet 
was  sent  to  Petersburg  in  Eebimary  and  Gen.  D.  H.  Hill  to 
North  Carolina  in  order  to  organize  the  militia.  However, 
these  two  generals  were  first  to  operate  against  Suffolk  and 
Norfolk,  and  after  relieving  these  cities,  were  to  regain,  the 
command  at  the  mouths  of  the  rivers  of  North  Carolina, 
especially  the  Tar,  Neuse,  and  Roanoke. 

137 


138 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


The  Federal  General  Foster,  who  was  in  command  of  the 
ISTorth  Carolina  coast,  had  been  weakened  by  having  to  send  a 
great  part  of  his  forces  in  the  expedition  against  Charleston, 
S.  C.  On  March  ll  the  Confederates  commanded  by  General 
Pettigrew  attacked  the  Federals’  fort  on  the  Eiver  Heuse 
across  from  ISTewbern;  but  the  Federal  gunboats  came  to  the 
aid  of  the  fort  and  prevented  its  capture.  On  March  30  Gen. 
D.  H.  Hill  laid  siege  to  the  town  of  Washington,  situated  on 
the  Tar  Eiver;  hut  General  Foster  reinforced  the  place  and 
prevented  its  capture.  General  Foster  at  this  juncture 
sought  aid  of  General  Peck,  which  was  precisely  what  the 
Confederates  hoped  he  would  do.  The  Federals,  however, 
learned  of  Longstreet’s  strategy  and  prepared  with  greater 
care  to  receive  the  expected  attack  of  the  Confederates  against 
Suffolk. 

On  April  12  Longstreet,  with  25,000  men,  arrived  in  front 
of  Suffolk ; but  he  was  soon  convinced  that  he  could  not  cap- 
ture the  place  without  siege-guns.  It  was  the  30th  of  April 
before  these  arrived  and  at  the  same  time  he  was  reinforced  by 
10,000  men  under  Hill;  and  everything  was  in  readiness  for 
the  attack.  Hooker  now  initiated  his  movements  in  front  of 
Fredericksburg,  which  caused  President  Davis  to  recall  Long- 
street  and  Hill,  thus  relieving  Suffolk. 

Expedition  Against  Charleston. — A large  fleet  under 
Admiral  Dupont  had  been  assembled  at  Port  Eoyal,  S.  C., 
and  on  the  1st  of  April  appeared  in  front  of  Charleston. 
This  fleet  numbered  fourteen  vessels,  which  included  seven 
Ericsson  monitors,  the  ironclad  KeokuJc,  and  the  frigate  Iron- 
sides. 

The  harbor  had  been  rendered  almost  impregnable  by  the 
genius  of  Beauregard.  In  the  afternoon  of  April  7 the  Fed- 
erals entered  the  channel,  passed  Battery  Bee,  and  sailed 
along  Morris  Island.  The  sea  was  smooth,  and  at  3 :10  p.  m. 
the  vessels  came  within  range  of  Fort  Sumter  and  soon  within 
reach  of  the  fire  of  Morris  Island  and  Sullivan’s  Island. 


EAELY  MILITAEY  OPEEATIOjSTS  OF  1863  139 


The  fire  soon  became  terrific ; and  in  a short  time  the  batteries 
at  Fort  Moultrie  and  Battery  Bee  added  their  power  of  de- 
struction. The  ironclads  concentrated  most  of  their  fire  on 
Fort  Sumter,  and  the  KeoJcuh  pushed  within  a third  of 
a mile  of  the  fort,  but  was  soon  so  badly  disabled  that  she 
had  to  creep  back  to  safety.  In  forty  minutes  after  the 
fight  began,  five  of  the  ironclads  were  so  badly  damaged 
that  it  seemed  like  folly  to  continue  the  combat.  Dupont 
now  ordered  a withdrawal  of  the  whole  fieet  to  Port  Eoyal. 
The  casualties  on  both  sides  were  very  small;  but  the  Con- 
federates won  a complete  victory,  and  the  monitor  type  of 
vessel  lost  to  a great  extent  its  prestige. 

Expedition  at  Galveston. — A fleet  of  Union  gunboats 
had  captured,  without  any  effectual  resistance,  Galveston 
(October  8,  1862),  and  also  Sabine  Pass.  On  December  28, 
1862,  companies  sent  by  General  Banks  from  Yew  Orleans  at 
the  request  of  Commodore  Eenshaw,  arrived  at  Galveston. 
In  the  meantime  General  MagTuder,  who  had  charge  of  this 
department  under  the  Confederacy,  had  gathered  a fleet  of 
mercantile  vessels,  and  having  manned  them,  after  careful 
inspection  he  prepared  to  surprise  the  Federal  forces  at  Gal- 
veston. 

The  Confederate  general  planned  to  make  his  assault  after 
midnight  of  December  31.  It  was  a bright  moonlight  night 
when  Magruder,  with  his  troops  and  field-guns,  crossed  the 
long  railroad  bridge  between  the  mainland  and  the  Island. 
It  was  4 a.  m.  and  still  dark  when  his  troops  attacked  with 
great  zeal  the  Federal  troops  and  while  his  cannon  bore  upon 
the  Federal  gTinboat.  At  the  same  time  the  Confederate 
fleet  attacked  the  Federal  boat  Harriett  Lane,  her  commander 
was  killed,  and  the  vessel  forced  to  surrender.  Eenshaw 
and  Law  refused  to  surrender  the  boat  Westfield  which  had 
run  aground,  and  determined  to  blow  her  up;  but  the  order 
was  executed  too  soon,  causing  the  death  of  Eenshaw  and  a 
dozen  or  so  of  the  crew.  The  regiment  that  was  in  the  city 


140 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


was  forced  to  surrender.  Law  now  escaped  with  a few  re- 
maining vessels  to  Hew  Orleans. 

Sabine  Pass. — This  port  of  entry, — which  lay  between 
the  boundary  of  Louisiana  and  Texas, — was  an  important 
place  for  the  exportation  of  cotton.  Two  gunboats, — the 
Morning  Lights  with  nine  guns,  and  the  Velocity,  with  one 
howitzer, — blockaded  the  river.  The  Confederates  now 
purposed  to  retake  this  place  and  prepared  four  vessels,  carry- 
ing five  guns.  On  the  21st  of  January  they  steamed  down 
the  Sabine  and  forced  the  gunboats  to  seek  the  ocean  where 
they  were  captured.  This  left  the  coast  of  Texas  free  and 
temporarily  unhlockaded. 

Expedition  Against  Vicksburg  in  the  Early  Part  of 
1863. — In  the  spring  of  1863,  after  Sherman  failed  and  was 
defeated  at  Chickasaw  Bluffs,  General  Grant  made  several 
ineffectual  attempts  to  get  in  the  rear  of  Vicksburg  by  way 
of  the  Tallahatchie,  Sunflower,  and  Coldwater  Rivers,  as  well 
as  by  Yazoo  Pass  and  Steel  Bayou  to  the  Yazoo  River.  An 
immense  amount  of  labor  had  been  wasted  in  attempting 
to  divert  the  great  Mississippi  River  at  Milliken  Bend. 

On  the  night  of  March  14  Admiral  Farragnt,  hoping  to 
cooperate  with  Porter  above  Vicksburg,  attempted  to  pass  Port 
Hudson.  The  night  was  exceedingly  dark,  but  the  Confed- 
erates were  on  their  guard,  having  lighted  immense  bonfires 
on  the  hillsides.  Farragut’s  fiagship,  the  Hartford,  took  the 
lead,  followed  by  the  Richmond,  Mississippi,  Genesee,  Kinel, 
and  Monongahela.  There  were  six  schooners  with  mortars, 
the  ironclad  Essex,  and  the  gunboat  Albatross. 

As  Farragut’s  fleet  approached  the  bluff  the  Confederates 
opened  a most  destructive  fire  from  their  batteries.  The 
Hartford  and  the  Albatross,  though  hit,  had  been  able  to  get 
past  the  batteries.  All  the  vessels  were  so  seriously  injured 
that  they  were  compelled  to  fall  back  down-stream ; and  the 
Mississippi  was  so  badly  disabled  that  she  ran  aground,  and 
her  officers  spiked  the  guns  and  abandoned  her.  She  then 


EAELY  MILITAEY  OPERATION'S  OE  1863  141 


drifted  off,  burning,  and  her  ammunition  soon  exploding,  sbe 
sank  near  Providence  Island.  On  the  Mississippi  out  of  133 
officers  and  men,  20  lost  their  lives  and  the  21  heavy  guns  and 
two  howitzers  were  a total  loss.  Farragiit’s  fleet  now  sought 
protection  at  Baton  Rouge. 

This  was  a severe  repulse  to  the  Federals;  but  neither 
Banks  nor  Farragut  lost  faith  in  their  efforts  to  capture  Port 
Hudson. 

For  the  present  we  must  leave  the  interesting  military 
movements  of  the  great  commanders  in  the  West  and  follow 
the  maneuvers  of  the  Eastern  armies, — maneuvers  that  led  to 
the  decisive  battle  of  the  Civil  War. 


CHAPTER  XXII 


CAMPAIGN  AND  BATTLE  OF  CHANCELDORSVILLE 

When  Gen.  Joseph  Hooker  was  placed  in  command  he 
found  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  in  a fearfully  disorganized 
condition.  It  was  still  encamped  at  Falmouth  occupying  Staf- 
ford Heights.  Desertions  were  having  a terrible  effect  on  the 
army ; there  was  much  discontent  prevalent  among  the 
soldiers  due  to  former  bad  generalship  and  to  the  effects  of 
the  Proclamation  of  Emancipation. 

Over  80,000  soldiers  were  absent  without  leave  from  the 
Federal  army.  Hooker,  who  was  a brave  and  skillful  corps 
commander,  set  himself  busily  to  the  great  task  of  reorganiz- 
ing and  disciplining  this  force.  He  divided  the  army  into 
seven  corps,  each  consisting  of  from  15,000  to  20,000  soldiers. 
Over  these  he  placed  Reynolds,  Couch,  Sickles,  Meade,  Sedg- 
wick, Howard,  and  Slocum.  AJl-the^cavalrymen,  consisting 
of  13,000  men,  he  placed  imder  General  Stoneman.  ^TW^ 
artillery  and  infantry  amounted  to  123,000  men,  with-AQQ^ 
cannons. 

EifEn  April,  1863,  the  Federal  army  lay  inactive  on  Staf- 
ford Heights.  During  this  time  General  Lee’s  army  was 
stationed  on  the  heights  back  of  Fredericksburg.  Above  the 
town  the  hills  run  close  to  the  river,  but  for  five  miles 
below  the  town  there  is  a stretch  of  level  ground  from  the 
river  to  the  hills  of  more  than  a mile  in  extent.  Longstreet 
had  a large  part  of  his  corps  at  Suffolk.  The  Confederate 
Government,  assisted  by  the  zealous  efforts  of  its  commanders, 
was  able  by  early  spring  to  raise  the  number  of  the  Con- 
federate army  under  Lee  to  nearly  half  that  of  the  Federal 

142 


Facing  Page  142 


CHANCELLORSVILLE 


BATTLE  OF  CHAATceLLOESVILLE 


143 


army  under  Hooker.  Lee  never  displayed  greater  sagacity, 
courage,  ckeerfulness,  and  military  genius  than  in  this  great 
campaign. 

Hooker’s  Movement  Begins. — There  had  been  several 
cavalry  skirmishes  during  the  three  months  before  Hooker 
made  his  movement.  On  April  17  Stoneman  proceeded 
to  the  upper  fords  of  the  Eappahannock  in  order  to 
interfere  with  Lee’s  line  of  communication  and  cut  it  off, 
if  possible;  and  on  April  21st  he  sent  part  of  Sedg- 
wick’s corps  that  was  below,  at  Port  Eoyal,  to  make  a feint 
on  Lee’s  right  with  the  intent  of  disguising  his  real  pur- 
pose. Lee’s  communication  had  been  somewhat  disturbed  by 
Stoneman,  but  the  real  movement  did  not  begin  until  April  27. 
By  Tuesday  the  28th  the  three  large  corps  of  Meade,  Howard, 
and  Slocum,  had  reached  Kelley’s  Ford, — 27  miles  above 
Fredericksburg, — where  they  crossed  the  same  night  and  the 
following  morning,  without  any  resistance.  On  the  evening 
of  the  29th  Stuart  had  reported  this  movement  to  General 
Lee,  who  rightly  concluded  it  to  be  Hooker’s  main  pur- 
pose to  attack  his  left  wing.  The  Federal  troops  now 
crossed  the  neck  of  land  between  the  Eapidan  and  Eappa- 
hannock and  forded  the  Eapidan  at  Germania  Ford. 
At  the  junction  of  the  two  rivers  was  United  States  Ford. 
Here  on  April  30  the  Second  Corps,  under  Couch,  crossed 
and  joined  Slocum,  and  the  two  commands  moved  to 
Chancellorsville,  where  they  were  joined  by  Hooker.  Sedg- 
wick with  three  coi’ps  on  April  27  moved  ten  miles  be- 
low Falmouth  and  crossed  on  the  pontoons.  On  April  29 
Sickles  was  detached  and  joined  Hooker  on  the  morning 
of  May  1.  Eeynolds  was  to  join  him  later.  Lee’s  position 
was  apparently  critical,  for  there  were  75,000  well-equipped 
soldiers  in  his  front,  over  30,000  in  his  rear,  and  a strong 
active  army  of  over  10,000  cavalrymen  intercepting  his  com- 
munication. 

On  May  1 Hooker  actively  advanced  his  troops  eastward 


144 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


beyond  Chancellorsville,  intending  to  get  clear  of  the  forest 
near  the  river ; bnt  at  the  last  moment  his  purpose  seemed  to 
waver  and  he  decided  to  draw  back  and  concentrate  his  forces 
around  Chancellors’  house.  Meade’s  corps  and  one  di- 
vision of  Couch  held  the  eastern  side,  or  left  flank;  Slocum 
and  one  division  of  Sickles’  composed  the  center,  Howard 
commanded  the  right  flank,  and  two  divisions  of  the  Second 
Corps  and  two  of  the  Third  were  held  in  reserve.  The  army 
was  in  the  form  of  the  letter  U,  with  limbs  pointing  towards 
the  Rappahannock  River.  The  Federal  general  now  awaited 
an  attack,  having  protected  his  front  with  rifle  pits  and  abatis. 

The  Battle. — General  Lee  on  May  1 made  a feint  attack 
on  the  Federal  advance  under  Slocum.  On  the  night  of 
April  30  Jackson’s  corps  had  left  its  situation  at  Hamilton 
crossing  and  by  noon  of  May  1 was  only  a few  miles  from 
the  Federal  forces  around  Chancellorsville. 

In  the  evening  of  that  day,  while  Lee  and  Jackson  were 
studying  out  the  great  problem  of  self-preservation  Stuart 
brought  word  that  the  Federal  right  flank  at  Dowdall  Tavern 
in  the  Wilderness  was  exposed  and  vulnerable.  Jackson  at 
once  proposed  to  march  his  corps  of  30,000  men  secretly  and 
attack  Howard  on  the  right;  to  which  proposal  Lee  acceded. 

In  the  early  morning  of  May  ^ _J ackson,  hidden  by  the 
forest  and  covered  by  Stuart’s  cavdry.  started  on  the  most 
dramatic,  tragical,  and  effective  flank  movement  of  the  Civil 
War, — a movement  that  was  taken  by_ the _F efleraTK  to  Fe  a 
retreat  towrd  Gordonsville!  ^'Hooker  was  at  Chancellor 
House  unprepared  for  the  greaVheverse  his  army  was  about  to 
receive.  The  first  real  warning  the  Federals  on  the  right  had 
of  the  fearful  attack  was  the  presence  of  frightened  deer  and 
other  wild  animals  that  had  been  driven  from  their  haunts 
by  Jackson’s  advancing  column. 

Between  5 and  6 p.  m.,  while  the  evening  meal  was  being 
prepared  and  many  of  the  Federal  arms  were  stacked, — the 
mighty  and  terrific  rebel  cheer  was  heard  followed  by  the 


BATTLE  OF  CHAITCELLOESVILLE 


145 


crashing  volleys  of  thousands  of  muskets.  The  sux’prise  vas 
complete.  In  a few  moments  division  after  division  of  the 
Federal  right  was  in  a wild  retreat  for  safety  and  preserva- 
tion of  life.  A short  resistance  was  made  at  Dowdall’s  Tav- 
ern by  Steinwehr’s  regiment  and  Schurz’s ; but  in  one  hour 
the  rout  of  the  right  wing  was  complete,  the  greatest  confu- 
sion prevailed,  and  there  was  not  left  at  this  point  any  sem- 
blance of  an  organized  army.  In  the  wild  disorder  it  looked 
as  if  the  wing  would  be  totally  annihilated. 

Hearing  of  the  fearful  disaster  on  his  right  Hooker 
hurried  to  Howard’s  relief ; and  Sickles  and  Pleasanton  were 
able  to  concentrate  sulficient  artillery  on  the  plateau  near 
Chancellorsville  to  check  Jackson’s  advance.  After  this 
there  was  a lull  in  the  battle.  General  Jackson  realized  the 
necessity  of  pushing  his  advantage,  though  it  was  night.  Ac- 
companied by  A.  P.  Hill,  and  part  of  his  staff  he  rode  some- 
Avhat  in  advance  of  his  skirmish-line  to  reconnoiter.  On 
returning,  as  they  approached  the  Confederate  line,  they  were 
mistaken  by  a Horth  Carolina  regiment  for  Federal  cavalry 
and  were  fired  on.  Several  of  the  party  were  wounded  and 
some  killed.  General  J ackson  himself  was  mortally 
wounded ; two  balls  pierced  his  left  arm  aud  another  the  palm 
of  his  right  hand,  and  in  falling,  the  general’s  side  was 
severely  injured.  He  was  conveyed  in  a field  ambulance  to 
the  hospital  at  Wilderness  Pun.  This  was  on  Saturday 
night ; the  great  commander  suffered  through  the  coming  week 
and  died  on  Sunday.  His  last  words  were:  ‘‘Tell  Major 
Hawks  to  send  forward  provisions  to  the  men.  Let  us  cross 
over  the  river  and  rest  under  the  shade  of  the  trees.” 

The  fall  of  Jackson  was  a great  calamity  to  the  Confed- 
eracy; there  is  no  doubt  that  he  was  the  greatest  lieutenant- 
general  of  the  Civil  War.  x\fter  Jackson  was  disabled  Gen- 
eral Stuart  assumed  command.  The  battle  continued  until 
midnight  when  nearly  the  whole  right  wing  of  the  Federals 
was  doubled  upon  its  own  center.  General  Lee  saw  Jackson 


146 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


at  4 a.  m.,  Sunday,  and  lie  decided  to  press  the  Federal  army 
back  upon  the  Rappahannock.  At  daybreak  of  the  3d  Jack- 
son’s corps,  assisted  by  Anderson,  renewed  the  attack.  Gen. 
A.  P.  Hill  had  also  been  disabled  shortly  after  Jackson  was 
wounded. 

Second  Day’s  Battle. — Hooker  had  now  about  80,000 
men  in  a good  defensive  position ; while  Lee  had  not  over  half 
that  number  to  oppose  the  Federal  force.  The  Confederates 
advanced  into  the  battle  with  the  cry : “ Charge  and  re- 

member Jackson.”  Sickles  had  been  ordered  by  Hooker  at 
daylight  to  abandon  his  position  at  Hazel  Grove  and  draw 
back  to  the  plateau  at  Chancellor’s  house.  Stuart  at  once 
took  advantage  of  this  second  blunder  on  Hooker’s  part  and 
placed  thirty  pieces  of  artillery  so  as  to  command  the  plateau. 
The  Federals  were  gradually  forced  back  by  the  obstinate 
charge  of  the  Confederates.  Early  in  the  day  General 
Hooker  was  severely  stunned  by  the  force  of  a cannon  ball, 
which  struck  a pillar  of  the  balcony  at  the  Chancellor  House. 

Lee’s  army  on  the  east  and  south  had  driven  Slocum  and 
Hancock  back;  and  Anderson  and  McLaws  now  united  with 
Stuart.  By  midday  the  whole  Federal  army  had  been 
pressed  back  into  a corner  near  the  Rappahannock.  About 
midday  Sedgwick  had,  after  three  assaults,  taken  Marye 
Heights  and  captured  General  Barksdale’s  command  of  less 
than  2000  men  and  six  pieces  of  artillery.  After  the  cap- 
ture of  Marye’s  Hill  the  Confederates  retired  from  Lee’s  Hill 
and  were  joined  to  Early’s  command,  which  came  from  Ham- 
ilton Crossing  and  took  up  a position  at  Salem  Church,  five 
miles  from  Fredericksburg,  where  they  were  united  to  Mc- 
Laws’ command.  When  the  Federal  troops  came  up  they 
were  received  with  a severe  fire  of  musketry  and  driven  back 
toward  Banks’  Ford,  with  great  loss,  and  were  completely 
hindered  from  uniting  with  Hooker. 

This  Sunday  had  been  a most  disastrous  day  for  Hooker, 
who  had  been  defeated  at  every  point  except  on  Marye’s  Hill, 


BATTLE  OF  CHAF'CELLORSVTLLE  147 

where  25,000  meB  had  forced  Barksdale’s  brigade  to  sur- 
render after  a terrible  loss. 

May  4,  1863. — By  Monday  morning,  May  4,  Early’s 
troops  had  been  reorganized  by  Lee,  and  Anderson  bad  been 
drawn  from  the  left  to  reinforce  him.  A little  before  mid- 
day, Early  had  moved  back  into  the  rear  of  Sedgwick. 
Marye  Heights  were  retaken  from  the  Federals.  The  posi- 
tion of  Sedgwick  bad  become  critical.  However,  it  was  late 
in  the  afternoon  before  the  Confederates  were  in  the  position 
to  make  an  attack  on  Sedgwick’s  army  which  gave  way  and 
in  the  darkness  of  the  night  crossed  the  river  after  a loss  of 
over  5000  men  in  the  two  days’  fight  (May  3 and  4).  Hooker 
had  allowed  Sedgwick  on  the  4th  to  retreat  and  had 
remained  passive  behind  his  intrenchments. 

The  Federals  had  been  driven  from  every  point;  the  de- 
feat of  Sedgwick  on  the  4th  had  decided  the  great  battle; 
Hooker  was  thoroughly  beaten. 

The  gTeat  fatigue  of  Lee’s  troops  prevented  their  rapid 
movement;  but  McLuws’  and  Anderson’s  corps  were  ordered 
back  to  Chancellorsville  the  morning  of  the  5th. 

Early  in  the  afternoon  a severe  rain-storm  began,  and 
it  was  late  before  the  Confederates  reached  their  destination. 
Hooker  had  already  begmn  to  make  arrangements  for  re- 
treat, but  the  elements  were  so  adverse  that  only  part  of  the 
Federal  army  crossed  in  the  night;  however  before  the  fol- 
lowing morning  the  whole  army  was  safely  transported 
across  the  Eappahannock  and  was  at  Falmouth  on  the  7th. 
The  weather  conditions  and  the  severe  ordeal  through  which 
his  soldiers  had  passed,  prevented  Lee  from  destroying  or 
capturing  a great  part  of  the  Federal  army. 

Eesults : The  Federals  had  unquestionably  met  one  of  the 
most  terrible  reverses  of  the  war.  The  soldiers  had  lost  confi- 
dence in  their  commander,  and  the  army  was  greatly  dis- 
heartened. The  losses  of  the  Federals  in  killed  and  wounded 
were  13,000  and  in  prisoners,  5000.  Hooker  also  lost  20,000 


148 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


small  arms  and  14  large  guns.  The  Confederates  lost  1581 
killed,  8700  wounded,  and  3000  prisoners.  Lee,  with  57,352 
effective  men,  had  completely  routed  100,000  of  the  Federal 
army  besides  12,000  cavalry  that  had  crossed  the  river  on  the 
8 th. 


CHAPTER  XXIII 


THE  VICKSBITEG  CAJkIPAIGN 

After  Grant  assumed  command  of  all  the  forces  under 
Sherman  and  McClernand  (Feb.  13,  1863)  he  placed  Mc- 
Clernand  in  command  of  the  Thirteenth  Corps,  the  Fifteenth 
Corps  under  Sherman,  and  the  Sixteenth  under  Hurlbut,  who 
was  sent  back  to  Memphis  to  watch  the  railroad  connections. 
The  Seventeenth  Corps  came  under  the  command  of  General 
McPherson. 

Sherman,  McClernand,  and  McPherson  moved  down  to 
Young’s  Point  and  after  six  weeks  of  hard  work  failed  in  the 
endeavor  to  cut  a canal  across  Milliken  Bend,  which  was  about 
one  mile  in  width.  The  great  river  refused  to  be  guided  by  the 
works  of  men,  and  during  a freshet  destroyed  all  their  labor. 
Porter’s  repeated  efforts  to  open  a passage  and  get  to  the  rear 
of  Vicksburg  by  the  upper  Yazoo  failed.  So,  after  five  fail- 
ures, sufficient  to  destroy  the  resolution  of  a less  tenacious  com- 
mander, General  Grant  determined  to  transport  his  army 
below  the  city, — a most  hazardous  undertaking. 

On  March  29  the  movement  began.  McClernand  was 
to  begin  the  march  toward  Xew  Carthage,  twenty  miles  below 
Vicksburg.  The  route  was  through  flooded  land;  roads  had 
to  be  made,  and  bridges  built,  and  when  tbe  forces  arrived 
near  Xew  Carthage  they  found  the  town  surrounded  by  water. 
This  fact  made  it  necessary  to  go  12  miles  farther  south, 
around  Bayou  Vidal.  McPherson  had  followed  closely  after 
McClernand  and  Sherman’s  corps  was  left  at  Milliken  Bend 
and  later  brought  up  the  rear.  On  the  night  of  April  16 
Porter,  with  two  fleets  of  gunboats,  ran  past  Vicksburg,  with 

149 


150 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


little  loss,  and  joined  Grant  below  the  town.  On  April  22  the 
five  transports  safely  ran  past  the  batteries  and  reached 
position  held  by  Grant,  who  now  had  means  of  transportation 
to  the  east  side  of  the  Mississippi.  Grant  moved  his  army 
to  Hard  Times,  a place  almost  opposite  Grand  Gulf  on  the 
east  side. 

Grierson’s  Cavalry. — In  the  meantime  to  prevent  rein- 
forcements reaching  the  Confederates  and  to  draw  their  atten- 
tion, Sherman  was  ordered  to  Haines’  Bluff  in  the  middle  of 
April.  At  the  same  time  that  Porter  started  his  move  do^vn 
the  river  Gen.  B.  H.  Grierson,  with  1700  cavalry,  started 
from  La  Grange,  Tenn.,  which  was  in  the  Confederates’  rear, 
to  ascertain  the  Confederate  strength.  In  sixteen  days 
Grierson  had  traveled  six  hundred  miles;  had  destroyed 
the  Southern  Railroad  from  Meridian  to  Jackson,  burning 
depots,  cars,  maiuifactories,  magazines,  and  taking  all  forms 
of  supplies.  Pemberton  was  much  distressed  hy  this  cavalry 
raid  for  it  had  cut  off  his  supplies  and  jeopardized  his  in- 
terest to  a great  extent.  At  noon.  May  2,  half-famished 
and  thoroughly  exhausted,  Grierson’s  troops  entered  Baton 
Rouge, — where  Banks  was  located, — after  a brave  and  dar- 
ing raid  that  had  done  a good  deal  to  demoralize  the  Confed- 
erates’ rear,  and  to  reveal  to  Grant  the  weakness  of  the  Con- 
federates. 

Grant  Crosses  the  Mississippi. — On  April  30,  1863, 
Grant  crossed  the  Mississippi  River  opposite  Briensburg, 
with  50,000  men,  hoping  to  take  Pemberton  in  the  rear. 
Grant  had  accomplished  nothing  of  importance  since  Shiloh, 
and  even  there  his  actions  had  been  criticized.  Should 
he  fail  now,  his  future  was  ruined.  Opposed  to  Grant,  Pem- 
berton had  about  21,000  men  stretched  from  Haines’  Bluff 
to  Grand  Gulf,  11,000  men  at  Grenada,  and  5000  at  Jack- 
son. 

Battle  of  Port  Gibson. — On  May  1 Grant  sent  McCler- 
nand  with  24,000  men  in  advance  to  Port  Gibson.  About 


THE  VICKSBURG  CAMPAIGN 


151 


four  miles  from  this  point  General  Bowen,  with  6000  men, 
had  taken  a strong  position  on  both  sides  of  the  road,  which 
forked  at  this  point  and  was  protected  by  a small  stream. 
Here  the  Federals  met  a most  determined  resistance  from  the 
Confederates,  who  had  only  one-fourth  their  number  but  en- 
gaged them  for  an  entire  day.  At  sunset  Bowen  fell  back  in 
good  order  toward  Port  Gibson,  after  a loss  of  three  guns  and 
TOO  men.  The  Eederals  had  lost  910  men  and  found  in  the 
morning  that  Port  Gibson  had  been  abandoned  and  that  the 
Confederates  had  burned  the  bridges  in  their  rear.  General 
Grant  now  turned  his  forces  toward  Jackson,  which  place 
Johnston  reached  May  13,  finding  General  Gregg  in  com- 
mand of  6000  Confederate  soldiers. 

Battle  of  Raymond. — McPherson’s  corps  was  now  mov- 
ing rapidly  northward  and  was  eight  miles  or  so  west  of  Mc- 
Clernand  and  Sherman  when,  on  May  12,  about  two  miles 
from  the  town  of  Raymond  the  advance  under  Logan  encoun- 
tered the  Confederates,  with  about  6200  men  under  General 
Gregg  and  General  Walker, — who  were  well  located  because 
of  the  thick  woods  and  irregailar  ground.  The  struggle  was 
a severe  one  of  over  three  hours;  but  repeated  charges  and 
the  effects  of  the  Federal  artillery  broke  the  Confederate 
lines,  and  they  were  forced  to  retreat  toward  Jackson.  The 
Federals  lost  in  this  engagement  69  killed,  341  wounded,  32 
missing;  while  the  Confederates  lost  about  800  men. 

When  Johnston  arrived  at  Jackson,  on  the  13th  of  May, 
he  ordered  Pemberton  to  move  up  to  Clinton,  so  that  they 
could  cooperate  in  Sherman’s  rear.  A council  of  war  ad- 
vised Pemberton  to  follow  Johnston’s  order,  but  he  delayed 
28  hours,  his  purpose  being  to  cut  Grant’s  communication. 
It  being  almost  impossible  to  join  Johnston’s  command,  he 
directed  his  force  of  17,500  men  toward  Raymond. 

McPherson’s  and  Sherman’s  forces  approached  Jackson  by 
different  roads  and  appeared  before  the  town  on  the  14th 
of  May,  forcing  Johnston  to  retreat.  Gen.  H.  T.  Walker 


152 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


covered  the  retreat,  and  in  the  battle  before  Jackson  lost 
several  hundred  men  and  a number  of  guns. 

On  the  15  th  Sheiunan  occupied  the  little  city  and  had 
small  respect  for  any  form  of  property ; a large  number  of  the 
private  houses,  cotton  factories,  hotels  and  public  buildings 
were  destroyed  by  fire. 

Grant’s  united  army  was  larger  than  the  combined  forces 
of  Johnston  and  Pemberton,  who  were  separated.  Grant 
now  moved  rapidly  towards  Bolton  Station,  and  occupied  it 
on  May  15. 

Battle  of  Baker’s  Creek  or  Champion’s  HiU. — Pember- 
ton had  by  May  15  found  out  his  mistake  in  going  south 
of  the  railroad  instead  of  north  and  tried  to  correct  it.  At 
Baker’s  Creek,  where  it  was  crossed  by  the  Jackson  and 
Vicksburg  Railroad,  he  assumed  a strong  position,  posting 
his  left  flank,  under  Gen.  C.  L.  Stevenson,  on  the  slopes  of 
Champion’s  Hill  where  the  road  turns  to  his  left ; Gen.  W.  W. 
Boring  commanded  his  right  wing  at  a point  where  the  slope 
was  more  gentle,  and  Gen.  John  Bowen  commanded  the 
center.  Grant’s  army  moved  up  the  road  early  in  the  morn- 
ing of  the  16th,  with  McPherson  on  the  right,  Hovey  in  the 
center,  and  Smith  and  Blair  on  the  left. 

About  11  a.  m.  the  battle  began  in  earnest.  General  Stev- 
enson bore  the  brunt  of  the  battle  being  continually  pressed 
by  the  large  Federal  division  under  the  gallant  General 
Logan.  Hovey’s  division  of  McClernand’s  corps,  after  a 
fight  of  one  hour,  was  driven  back  one-half  mile  by  Bowen’s 
command  and  part  of  Boring’s.  The  Federals  were  rein- 
forced by  Crocker’s  division  of  McPherson’s  corps.  Two 
brigades  of  Bowen  gave  aid  now  to  Stevenson,  who,  with 
only  6500  men  had  sustained  for  several  hours  the  fearful 
attack.  General  Boring  had  failed  to  render  assistance  to  the 
left  as  he  had  been  ordered.  About  five  o’clock  the  Confed- 
erate left  was  broken  and  in  confusion  retreated  from  the 
field.  One  of  the  most  gallant  fights  of  the  day  was  now  made 


THE  VICKSBURG  CAMPAIGjST 


153 


by  General  Tilgbam  of  General  Boring’s  command,  -who,  with 
1500  men  and  several  fine  guns,  kept  tbe  8000  Eederals 
at  bay  and  repulsed  them  until  tbe  retreating  Confed- 
erates Tvere  safe  beyond  tbe  bridge.  General  Bering’s  com- 
mand was  completely  separated  from  tbe  rest  of  Pemberton’s 
army  and  prevented  from  crossing  Big  Black  Eiver.  Gen- 
eral Tilgbam’s  stand  bad  saved  a large  part  of  tbe  Confederate 
army ; but  be  was  killed  during  tbe  engagement  while  hand- 
ling a twelve-pound  howitzer.  General  Boring’s  command, — 
after  tbe  loss  of  bis  artillery  and  several  days’  wandering 
south  of  Champion  Hill  battle-ground, — made  a junction 
with  Johnston’s  forces  on  the  east. 

The  Confederates  now  retreated  to  Big  Black  River  and 
on  tbe  iTtb  took  up  a strong  position  there. 

Results  of  Battle  of  Champion’s  Hill:  Tbe  Eederals  lost 
430  killed,  and  2100  Avounded.  Tbe  Confederates  lost  in  ad- 
dition to  General  Tilgbam,  1400  killed  and  wounded;  2400 
prisoners,  and  24  guns.  Their  army  was  demoralized  and 
permanently  separated  from  Johnston. 

Battle  of  Big  Black  River  . — On  Sunday  morning.  May 
17,  McClernand, — only  part  of  whose  airniy  bad  partici- 
pated in  tbe  fight  of  tbe  16tb, — led  the  pursuit  toward  Big 
Black  River.  Tbe  Eederals  were  soon  baited  by  tbe  strong 
position  of  tbe  Confederates  on  the  eastern  shore  and  tbe 
fortification  on  tbe  high  ground  on  tbe  western  side.  Above 
tbe  railroad  bridge  bulks  of  boats  bad  been  placed  for  cross- 
ings. At  tbe  first  charge  and  volley  of  tbe  Eederals  tbe 
Confederates  fied,  and  left  in  their  bands  18  gims  and  con- 
siderable stores  and  small  arms.  A large  part  of  tbe  Con- 
federate forces  were  captured ; but  by  burning  tbe  bridge, 
Pemberton  delayed  tbe  Eederals  24  hours  and  gathered  bis 
army  into  Vicksburg.  On  May  19  Sherman  occupied 
Haines’  Bluff,  much  to  bis  gratification. 

Pemberton’s  scattered  and  discouraged  army  on  arriving  at 
Vicksburg  bad  tbe  assistance  and  encouragement  of  8000 


154 


HISTOKY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAH 


fresh  troops  that  had  not  yet  been  weakened  and  disheartened 
by  defeat.  Grant’s  operations  since  he  left  Grand  Gulf  had 
been  rapid,  effectual,  and  highly  successful.  He  had  com- 
pletely discomfited  and  separated  the  Confederate  command- 
ers. In  two  weeks  he  had  lost  about  5000  men,  but  even  then 
his  armies  numbered  15,000  more  than  the  combined  forces 
of  Johnston  and  Pemberton. 

Siege  of  Vicksburg. — Against  the  advice  of  Johnston  the 
Confederates  were  now  cooped  up  in  Vicksburg.  Pemberton 
had  from  25,000  to  30,000  men  and  over  a hundred  guns  with 
which  to  defend  the  place.  Grant’s  army  and  the  fleet  on  the 
19th  had  cut  off  all  outside  communication,  so  starvation 
threatened  the  besieged.  Pemberton  now  placed  his  com- 
mand on  the  right  under  Stevenson,  Major-General  Torney 
commanded  the  center,  and  Major-Gen.  M.  L.  Smith  the 
left.  Generals  Baldwin  and  Lee  commanded  part  of  the  left 
and  right  respectively. 

Sherman  commanded  the  Federal  right  along  the  Bluffs, 
McPherson  the  center,  and  McClernand  the  left. 

On  May  19  the  divisions  of  General  Blair,  of  Sherman’s 
corps,  made  an  unsuccessful  assault,  being  severely  repulsed. 
On  May  22  General  Grant  attempted  a concentrated  as- 
sault. At  great  loss  McClernand  gained  a foothold,  but  was 
dislodged.  Grant  now  withdrew,  after  having  lost  5000  men. 
The  Confederates’  loss  was  only  500. 

At  about  12  o’clock  McClernand  had  sent  dispatches  to  Gen- 
eral Grant,  stating  that  two  of  the  Confederate  forts  had  been 
captured  and  requesting  that  McPherson  and  Sherman  make 
a diversion.  Grant  was  not  prone  to  regard  this  request, 
but  on  consulting  with  Sherman,  he  decided  to  allow  the  as- 
saults to  be  made.  The  Federals,  after  five  desperate  and 
ineffectual  efforts  desisted  from  the  massed  attacks  at  about 
2 p.  m. ; but  it  was  not  until  about  8 p.  m.  that  the  Federal 
troops  were  recalled  from  the  most  advanced  position.  Dur- 
ing this  whole  day  Porter  had  added  much  to  the  sufferings 


THE  VICKSBURG  CAMPAIGN 


155 


of  the  Confederates  by  the  continuous  fire  from  his  mortars. 

Grant  now  determined  to  begin  a regular  siege,  and  in 
ten  days  he  had  gathered  around  the  beleaguered  city  a power- 
ful army  of  80,000  men,  aided  by  200  gums,  besides  the  gun- 
boats and  mortars  under  Porter’s  command. 

By  June  the  12th  Johnston  had  collected  30,000  men  at 
Jackson  but  they  were  not  well  equipped  and  as  many  of 
them  were  raw  troops  it  would  have  been  anything  but  good 
judgment  to  dash  his  forces  to  pieces  against  Grant’s  large 
army  of  veterans. 

The  Confederates,  well  fortified,  now  began  the  long,  tedi- 
ous hours  of  the  siege.  On  account  of  the  differences  between 
Grant  and  McClernand,  Major-General  Ord  on  June  15 
superseded  General  McClernand.  Trenches  were  dug  against 
trenches,  there  was  mining  and  counter  mining.  The  hot 
days  of  June  and  incessant  watching  began  soon  to  tell  on 
the  besieged  Confederates.  After  the  first  five  days  Pember- 
ton found  it  necessary  to  cut  rations  down  to  one-half.  There 
were  drenching  rains  to  add  to  the  sufferings  of  the  besieged. 
After  May  25  from  river  and  land  the  Eederals  kept  up 
an  incessant  firing  of  heavy  guns  and  mortars.  It  has  been 
estimated  conservatively  that  6000  mortar  shells  were  thrown 
into  the  city  every  24  hours,  and  sometimes  the  land  guns 
added  4000  more  a day.  So  great  was  the  distress  of  the 
citizens  that  they  were  forced  to  make  caves  to  dwell  in. 

Delusive  Hopes  of  Pemberton. — Pemberton’s  condition 
was  soon  very  critical,  but,  by  delusive  hopes  that  Johnston 
would  find  some  way  to  render  effectual  assistance  or  that 
the  authorities  at  Richmond  would  help  them,  the  brave  de- 
fenders were  cheered  from  day  to  day.  On  the  west  side  of 
the  Mississippi  River,  at  Milliken’s  Bend,  General  Taylor 
made  an  effort  to  get  into  communication  with  Pemberton 
on  June  9,  but  he  was  repulsed.  On  June  14  Johnston 
sent  word  to  Pemberton  that  he  would  endeavor  to  make  an 
attack  at  some  point  north  of  the  railroad  and  that  at  the 


156 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


same  time  an  effort  would  be  made  to  send  a force  from 
Vicksburg  to  the  same  point.  Further  reconnoissance  con- 
vinced Johnston  that  an  attack  from  the  north  was  imprac- 
ticable. 

During  the  last  days  of  June  Pemberton’s  army  was  in  a 
serious  plight;  thousands  were  in  the  hospitals,  and  mule 
meat  was  at  a premium.  Their  endurance  was  almost  at  an  end. 

The  Last  Days. — • On  June  25,  about  5 p.  m.,  the  first 
great  mine,  which  had  been  prepared  in  front  of  McPherson’s 
corps,  was  fired.  The  explosion  was  fearful.  A band  of 
picked  Federals  rushed  forward  and  seized  part  of  Fort  Hill, 
where  the  great  breach  had  been  made.  A terrific  cannon- 
ade was  begun  from  all  the  land  batteries,  aided  by  Porter 
on  the  water.  But  after  all  the  proud  effort  the  gallant  Con- 
federates drove  the  Federals  from  their  vantage  point. 

Another  mine  was  exploded  on  June  28,  which  did  fur- 
ther damage  to  Fort  Hill. 

On  June  29  Johnston  made  his  last  effort  to  aid  Pember- 
ton. His  field  transportation  had  been  received  on  July  1. 
He  reached  Brownsville  and  decided  to  make  his  attack  from 
the  south.  His  communication  to  Pemberton,  telling  of  his 
plans  to  attack  on  July  Y,  was  intercepted  by  Grant. 

On  July  1 a mine  was  exploded  near  the  Jackson  road, 
demolishing  a large  redoubt  and  killing  several  men  who 
manned  the  works. 

The  army  of  Pemberton  was  exhausted  and  starving;  he 
could  hope  for  no  effectual  aid,  and  on  July  3 he  sent  Gen- 
eral Bowen  and  Colonel  Montgomery,  of  his  staff,  with  a 
proposal  of  an  armistice  to  Grant.  He  wanted  a body  of  com- 
missioners, three  from  each  army,  appointed  to  arrange  the 
terms  of  capitulation. 

Grant’s  reply  was  that  no  tenps  other  than  unconditional 
surrender  would  satisfy  him.  At  3 p.  m.,  July  3, — in  front 
of  McPherson’s  line  and  under  the  shade  of  an  oak  tree, — 
Pemberton  and  Grant  met  and  discussed  the  terms  of  sur- 


THE  VICKSBURG  CAMPAIGN 


157 


render.  Grant  was  accompanied  by  Logan,  Ord,  McPherson, 
and  A.  J.  Smith;  Pemberton,  by  Bowen  and  Montgomery; 
but  all  these  officers  retired  and  left  the  two  commanders 
alone.  The  final  agreements  were  not  concluded  until  9 a.  m., 
July  4.  Grant  had  held  stubbornly  to  his  terms:  Un- 
conditional surrender ; the  Confederates  to  be  paroled  not  to 
take  up  arms  against  the  Federal  Government  imless  ex- 
changed by  proper  authority. 

On  July  4 Pemberton  surrendered  23,000  men,  3 Major- 
Generals,  90  field-pieces,  9 Brigadier-Generals  and  40,000 
small  arms.  There  were  6000  men  in  the  hospital,  and  4000 
citizens,  including  negroes. 

Results  of  the  Vicksburg  Campaign. — The  Confeder- 
ates had  lost  since  Grant  crossed  the  Mississippi  an  army  of 
40,000  men;  an  enormous  quantity  of  supplies,  more  than 
100  field-guns,  60,000  small  arms;  and  there  had  been  a 
severance  of  the  Transmississippi  department  of  the  Confed- 
eracy from  that  of  the  East.  The  strongest  fortification  on 
the  great  river  was  lost.  It  was  the  most  severe  blow  the 
Southerners  had  yet  received,  and,  coming  simultaneously 
with  the  defeat  at  Gettysburg,  left  in  doubt  the  success  of 
their  arms. 

The  Eederals  had  reason  to  be  proud  of  their  suc- 
cess. Almost  unlimited  resources,  an  enormous  army  of  80,- 
000  men  assisted  greatly  by  the  fieet,  to  whose  commanders 
not  enough  credit  has  been  given,  explains  to  a great  extent 
their  victory.  All  these  would  not  have  accomplished  the 
result,  however,  had  not  there  been  a great  guiding  military 
mind  at  the  helm.  Grant’s  perseverance,  his  fortitude  under 
great  discouragement,  stimulated  like  characteristics  among 
his  lieutenants,  aroused  the  valor  of  his  soldiers  and  gained 
him  one  of  the  greatest  triumphs  of  the  Civil  War.  Ac- 
cording to  his  reports,  he  lost  during  the  campaign  8573 
men,  of  whom  943  were  killed.  He  received  congratulatory 
letters  from  every  source.  Among  them  were  those  from 


158 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


General  Halleck  and  President  Lincoln.  From  this  time  to 
the  end  of  the  -war  Grant’s  place  as  one  of  the  greatest  if  not 
the  greatest  of  the  Federal  commanders  was  established. 

Sherman  Occupies  Jackson. — As  soon  as  Johnston 
heard  of  Pemberton’s  surrender  he  began  to  move  back  to- 
ward Jackson.  Grant  immediately  sent  Sherman  in  pursuit 
with  50,000  men  who  arrived  July  8 at  Clinton.  On  the 
10th  they  were  before  the  intrenchments  at  Jackson,  where 
General  Johnston  had  gathered  his  forces.  On  the  11th 
Sherman  bombarded  the  town  from  all  directions.  The  heav- 
iest loss  to  the  Federals  came  to  Lanman’s  brigade,  of  which 
500  men  were  killed,  wounded,  or  captured. 

Johnston,  on  the  night  of  July  16,  evacuated  Jackson 
and  retreated  safely  to  Meridian.  Steele’s  division  pursued 
for  about  14  miles,  without  any  results.  The  town  of  J ack- 
son  suffered  severely  by  these  repeated  occupations,  for  the 
Federal  soldiers  wantonly  destroyed  public  buildings,  house- 
hold furniture,  libraries,  pictures,  and  everything  that  they 
could  not  utilize. 

On  July  27  Sherman  again  moved  back  to  his  old  posi- 
tion on  Haines’  Bluff,  and  this  practically  ended  the  Vicks- 
burg CampaigTi. 


CHAPTEE  XXIV 


BAlfKS’  LOUISIAKA  CAMPAIGN  TO  THE  FATE  OF  PORT  HUDSON 

General  Banks,  as  we  kave  seen,  had  been  given  command 
of  the  Department  of  the  Gulf  late  in  1862  and,  with  over 
10,000  men,  arrived  in  Xew  Orleans  on  December  14,  where 
General  Butler  handed  over  to  him  a force  of  from  17,000 
to  20,000  men,  the  majority  of  whom  were  veterans,  with  the 
exception  of  a few  colored  regiments.  He  soon  sent  10,000 
men  to  the  garrison  at  Baton  Eouge,  and  he  also  sent  rein- 
forcements to  Galveston,  the  outcome  of  which  movement  has 
already  been  narrated. 

Banks’  Advance. — During  January  and  Febimary,  1863, 
the  Confederates  held  Brashear  City  and  other  important 
points  on  the  Atchafalaya  Eiver  as  far  as  Alexandria  on  the 
Eed  Eiver.  Brashear  City  was  at  the  junction  of  Bayou 
Teche  and  the  Atchafalaya,  eighty  miles  from  Xew  Orleans, 
and  connected  with  that  city  by  railroad.  General  Wietzel 
and  Commodore  McKean  Buchanan  were  sent  against  the 
Confederates  at  Brashear  City  but  were  repulsed  January  15 
at  Carney  Bridge,  where  Buchanan  was  killed.  The  Fed- 
erals  retreated,  losing  34,  killed  and  wounded. 

Banks  and  Farragut  now  concentrated  all  their  forces  at 
Baton  Eouge  in  order  to  make  an  expedition  against  Port 
Hudson.  Their  severe  repulse  and  the  failure  of  Farragut’s 
attempt  to  pass  Port  Hudson  (March  13)  has  been  previously 
related.  The  12,000  men  under  Grover,  sent  by  Banks  to 
aid  Farragut  were  withdrawn,  and  Banks  again  decided  to 
concentrate  his  forces  against  Brashear  City. 

Second  Expedition  Against  Brashear  City. — On  April 

159 


160 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


10  General  Wietzel  moved  to  unite  with  Generals  Emory 
and  Grover  in  order  to  attack  the  Confederates  in  the  rear 
of  Fort  Bisland.  The  Confederates  all  now  retreated  to 
Opelonsas.  In  the  pursuit  a sharp  engagement  took  place 
between  Gen.  Dick  Taylor  and  General  Emory  at  Vermilion 
Bayou.  Taylor  retreated  to  Alexandria,  which  had  been 
taken  by  Admiral  Porter,  who  had  ascended  to  Bed  River 
with  his  gunboats.  Taylor  now  (May  6)  retreated  to  Grand 
Ecore. 

Results:  Banks  had  been  successful  in  his  expedition. 
The  Confederates  had  lost  nearly  two  thousand  men,  several 
boats,  and  20  guns. 

Banks  Captures  Port  Hudson. — Banks,  on  May  14, 
started  from  Alexandria  toward  Port  Hudson,  where  by  May 
25  he  had  concentrated  from  16,000  to  20,000  troops.  The 
Confederates,  under  General  Gardner,  had  about  6500  troops 
and  51  guns  to  defend  the  fortification.  The  place  had 
natural  strength  and  had  been  fortified  with  great  skill. 

Banks,  on  May  2Y,  ordered  a general  assault  both  by 
land  and  by  river.  The  firing  began  about  6 a.  m.,  starting 
with  the  land  batteries.  At  10  a.  m.  an  attack  was  made  on 
the  right  by  Wietzel,  Grove,  and  Paine,  and  later  by  Generals 
C.  C.  Augur  and  T.  W.  Sherman  on  the  center  and  left.  The 
charge  of  the  Federals  was  full  of  energy  and  heroism.  The 
fight  kept  up  until  sunset.. 

The  assault  proved  a complete  failure  on  the  part  of  the 
Federals;  and  in  it  they  lost  1550  wounded  and  293  killed. 
The  Confederate  loss  was  very  small, — scarcely  300.  A 
large  body  of  negro  troops  was  used  by  the  Federals  in  the 
assault ; and  from  the  report  of  their  commanders  they  showed 
considerable  patience  and  fortitude  under  fire. 

On  June  11  Banks  ordered  an  assault  at  3 p.m.,  but 
was  again  severely  repulsed,  with  heavy  loss.  On  June  14 
he  ordered  a second  assault  and  at  early  dawn  the  forward 
movement  began.  After  a terrible  punishment  the  Federals 


BAJs^KS’  LOUISIAATA  CAMPAIGI^ 


161 


by  11  a.  m.  had  again  been  repulsed  along  the  whole  line, 
losing  700  men.  Banks  now  concluded  that  the  place  could 
only  be  subjugated  by  siege  operations. 

Two  Transmississippi  Divisions. — Late  in  June  and 
early  in  July,  during  the  operations  around  Port  Hudson 
and  Vicksburg,  two  important  expeditions  were  instituted 
by  the  Confederates  to  divert  the  Federal  forces  from  their 
efforts.  After  overrunning  all  the  Teche  Bayou  and  Bed 
River  country,  Gen.  Dick  Taylor  appeared  before  Brashear 
City  (June  23),  which  he  captured,  with  1800  Federal  sol- 
diers and  several  million  dollars  worth  of  supplies.  There 
were  also  captured  an  immense  quantity  of  medical  stores, 
commissaiy  supplies,  mules,  horses,  tents,  and  siege  guns. 

General  Holmes  with  5000  troops, — after  a march  of  great 
toil  and  hardship, — with  Generals  Price,  Marmaduke,  and 
Fagan  reached  a point  within  three  miles  of  Helena  on  the 
evening  of  July  3.  At  daybreak  of  July  4 the  assault 
began.  After  a desperate  fight  the  Confederates  were  re- 
pulsed and  forced  to  retreat.  Their  loss  had  been  600  killed 
and  wounded,  and  400  prisoners.  The  next  day  Holmes  began 
his  retreat  to  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  which  he  later  had  to  abandon. 

Hews  reached  General  Gardner  on  July  7,  at  Port  Hud- 
son, that  Vicksburg  had  surrendered.  On  this  night  the 
Confederate  general  held  a council  of  war  with  his  officers. 
They  all  considered  that  it  was  useless  to  hold  out  longer. 
Terms  were  agreed  upon;  and  on  July  9 General  Gardner 
formally  surrendered  Port  Hudson,  with  6233  prisoners,  51 
guns,  5000  small  arms,  4000  pounds  of  cannon-powder,  and  a 
large  supply  of  ammunition  for  small  arms. 

The  surrender  of  Port  Hudson  was  inevitable  after  the  fall 
of  Vicksburg. 


CHAPTER  XXV 


CAMPAIGN  AND  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG 

One  day  before  the  fall  of  Vicksburg  occurred  the  most 
important  battle  of  the  Civil  War.  After  Chancellorsville 
the  military  ccmdition  of  the  Confederacy  looked  more  hope- 
ful than  at  any  time  during  the  fearful  struggle.  Vicksburg’s 
safety  was  not  so  much  in  doubt,  and  Bragg  had  effectually 
held  Rosecrans  at  bay  after  Murfreesboro.  The  Federals 
were  discouraged  and  the  army  in  the  East  had,  to  a great 
extent,  lost  faith  in  their  leaders.  Lee,  intrenched  in  his 
old  line  at  Eredericksburg,  had  recalled  Longstreet  from  Suf- 
folk and  had  collected  a few  soldiers  from  other  sources. 

During  the  month  of  May,  near  Culpeper,  the  greatest  ac- 
tivity was.  evident  in  Lee’s  army.  Every  department  of  the 
army  was  supplied  with  the  best  that  the  resources  of  the  Con- 
federacy could  furnish.  The  cavalry  under  General  Stuart 
was  nearly  12,000  strong,  and  by  the  last  of  June,  Lee  had 
60,000  men  besides  cavalry.  He  placed  under  General  Ewell 
the  Second  Corps, — or  General  Jackson’s  old  command,  con- 
sisting of  the  divisions  of  Early,  Rodes,  and  Johnson,  while  the 
First  was  commanded  by  General  Longstreet  and  consisted  of 
the  divisions  of  McLaws,  TIood,  and  Pickett.  Gen.  A.  P. 
Hill  commanded  the  Third  Corps,  which  consisted  of  the 
divisions  of  Anderson,  Pender  and  Heth.  Each  corps  com- 
prised about  22,000  men  and  80  pieces  of  artillery.  Gen- 
eral Hooker  was  carefully  watching  Lee’s  movements  in  order 
to  discover  his  purpose. 

Lee’s  Initiative  Movements. — It  was  not  probable  that 
Lee  would  now  remain  idle,  waiting  for  the  Federals  to 

162 


GETTYSBURG 


Facing  Page  162 


CAMPAIGi^  AM)  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG  163 


resume  offensive  movements.  On^jnore  disastrous  defeat 
of  the  Federal  army, — a defeat  as  severe  as  that  at  Chan- 
cellorsville, — -would  place  the  military  prestige  of  the  Con- 
federacy high  enough  to  cause  foreign  po-wers  to  recognize 
that  governmejat.  On  Jime  3,  the  divisions  of  McLa-ws  and 
Ilodd^of  Longstreet’s  corps,  began  their  march  to  Culpeper 
Court  House,  foUo-wed  on  June  4 and  5 by  Ewell’s  corps. 
A.  P.  Hill’s  corps  was  left  by  Lee  in  the  lines  at  Fredericks- 
burg to  disguise  his  movements. 

On  J une  6 Hooker  ordered  Sedgwick  to  send  troops  across 
the  Rappahannock,  at  Franklin’s  crossing,  to  discover  Lee’s 
purposes.  Hill  made  such  a display  of  strength  that  Hooker 
was  again  partly  deceived.  The  Federal  cavalry,  under 
Pleasanton,  was  ordered  to  reconnoiter  toward  Culpeper,  and 
on  Tuesday,  June  9,  crossed  the  Rappahannock  at  Kelley’s 
and  Beverly  Fords.  Meantime  General  Stuart,  under  Lee’s 
orders  had  in  the  evening  of  the  8th  arrived  at  Brandy’s 
Station. 

Battle  at  Beverly  Ford. — Buford,  soon  after  he  crossed 
at  Beverly  Ford  on  the  9th, — came  into  a severe  engage- 
ment with  General  Jones  of  Stuart’s  advance.  The  Con- 
federates were  soon  reinforced  by  Gens.  Wade  Hampton  and 
W.  H.  Lee  and  succeeded  in  repulsing  Buford.  Stuart  now 
turned  his  main  attention  to  General  Gregg,  who  had  crossed 
at  Kelley’s  Ford.  One  of  the  most  spirited  and  sanguinary 
cavalry  engagements  of  the  war  then  took  place.  The  loss 
on  each  side  was  about  600 ; but  the  Federal  cavalry  was 
forced  to  retire  across  the  Rappahannock.  Hooker  was  now 
made  aware  that  Lee’s  army  was  in  great  force  at  Culpeper 
Court  House  and  intended  a northern  movement. 

On  June  10  Ewell  pushed  his  corps  rapidly  to  the  north- 
west, moved  up  the  east  side  of  the  Blue  Ridge,  passed  Ches- 
ter Gap,  and  crossed  the  Shenandoah  at  Port  Royal. 

The  Milroy  Disaster. — On  the  evening  of  June  13  Gen- 
eral EAvell  arrived  at  Winchester,  having  marched  seventy 


164 


HISTOKY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAK 


miles  in  three  days.  General  Milroy,  of  the  Federals,  who 
was  stationed  here  with  7000  men,  late  in  the  evening  of 
June  13  captured  a few  Confederates  and  determined  to  de- 
fend the  town  the  next  day. 

The  Confederates  did  not  begin  the  assault  until  late  in 
the  afternoon.  Milroy  now  attempted  to  escape,  but  it  was 
too  late;  he  and  part  of  his  troops  reached  Harper’s  Ferry, 
and  the  rest  joined  Hancock  on  the  Potomac. 

The  Confederates  captured  4000  men,  30  guns,  277  wagons, 
400  horses,  and  a large  quantity  of  supplies.  General  Ewell 
now  crossed  the  Potomac  and  moved  rapidly  into  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

While  Ewell  was  making  his  rapid  march.  General  Hooker 
had  sent  General  Sickles  to  Beverly  Ford,  Howard’s  corps 
to  Catlett’s,  and  Eeynolds’  to  Bealton,  to  watch  the  fords 
of  the  Rappahannock,  while  he  remained  at  Falmouth  with 
half  of  the  Federal  army.  Hooker  wished  to  cross  the  river 
and  interpose  himself  between  Hill  and  Longstreet,  who  were 
at  Culpeper;  but  this  plan  was  objected  to  by  Halleck  and 
President  Lincoln^  who  in  his  quaint,  original  manner  tele- 
graphed Hooker : I would  not  take  any  risk  of  being  en- 
tangled upon  the  river,  like  an  ox  jumped  half  over  a fence, 
and  liable  to  be  torn  by  dogs  front  and  rear,  without  a fair 
chance  to  gore  one  way  or  to  kick  the  other.” 

It  was  not  until  the  13th  of  June  that  Hooker  became 
aware  of  Ewell’s  rapid  march.  He  now  abandoned  his  camps 
along  the  Rappahannock  and  by  the  16th  had  fallen  back  to 
Fairfax  and  Manassas.  As  soon  as  General  Hill  observed 
the  departure  of  the  Federal  army  he  hastened  to  join  Long- 
street  at  Culpeper. 

By  June  15  Jenkins’  cavalry,  of  Ewell’s  corps,  had 
reached  Chambersburg.  Ewell  waited  now  at  Williamsport 
for  Hill  and  Longstreet  to  catch  up  with  him;  but  on  the 
20th  and  21st  he  crossed  the  Potomac  at  Shepherdstown  and 
occupied  Chambersburg  (June  24).  On  June  27  the  divi- 


CAMPAIGI^  AND  BATTLE  OE  GETTYSBUEG  165 


sions  of  Johnson  and  Bodes  had  moved  rapidly  forward  to 
Carlisle,  Pa.,  while  Early  had  gone  through  Gettysburg  to- 
ward York,  where  he  arrived  on  the  28th.  The  advance 
scouts  of  Bodes  and  Johnson  had  by  this  time  reached  a 
point  on  the  Susquehanna  Biver  opposite  Harrisburg. 
Meanwhile  Lee’s  whole  army  had  reached  and  forded  the 
Potomac  at  Shepherdstown  (June  25  and  26),  and  by  June 
27  had  encamped  near  Chambersburg. 

On  June  26  Hooker  had  crossed  the  Potomac,  east  of  the 
Blue  Bidge,  at  Edwards  Perry,  and  concentrated  his  army 
at  Frederick  on  June  27. 

Hooker’s  Resignation  and  Meade’s  Appointment. — 

Hooker  had  asked  permission  of  the  Washington  authorities 
to  draw  the  10,000  men  under  French  from  the  Heights  at 
Harper’s  Ferry  and  join  them  to  Slocum’s  force,  in  order  to 
make  a feint  on  Lee’s  rear,  claiming  that  the  holding  of  the 
Heights  could  be  of  no  value  now  to  the  Federals  as  it  did 
not  protect  the  fords.  He  was  refused  this  request  and  in 
consequence  sent  in  his  resignation  on  the  evening  of  June 
27.  On  the  morning  of  June  28  the  order  arrived  from 
Washington  transferring  to  General  Meade  the  command  of 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  giving  him  much  greater  lati- 
tude than  had  been  given  to  General  Hooker. 

The  new  commander  was  at  this  time  forty-eight  years 
of  age.  He  had  graduated  from  West  Point  in  1835,  had 
served  in  the  Mexican  War  and  had  received  distinction  at 
Monterey.  He  was  tall  and  thin;  his  face  was  long;  his  ex- 
pression thoughtful.  He  was  recogTiized  as  a leader  of  sound 
conservative  judgment  and  a general  who  was  skillful  in 
military  maneuvers. 

On  the  morning  of  June  29  General  Meade  ordered  his 
army  to  move  on  parallel  lines  with  Lee’s  but  to  keep  be- 
tween the  Confederates  and  Washington.  By  the  evening 
of  the  29th  the  Federal  army  extended  from  Windsor  on  its 
right  to  Emmetsburg  on  the  left. 


166 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


The  day  Lee  encamped  at  Chambersburg  and  Ewell 
reached  Carlisle,  Stuart  in  accordance  with  orders  from  Lee 
bad  reached  Seneca  on  the  Potomac,  13  miles  from  Wash- 
ington, and  had  crossed  the  river  in  the  Federals’  rear.  Thus 
at  the  time  Meade  moved  up  the  Monocacy  Lee  could  not  know 
with  any  degree  of  certainty  the  movements  of  the  Federal 
army,  his  cavalry  being  too  far  away  to  give  definite  informa- 
tion. The  same  mistake  that  Bragg  made  at  “ Stone  Kiver,” 
Lee  was  now  making.  As  soon  as  General  Lee  learned  of  the 
movements  of  the  Federal  army,  he  ordered  Hill  and  Long- 
street  to  go  through  the  South  Mountain  range  toward  Gettys- 
burg, fearing  that  the  enemy  would  interfere  with  his  com- 
munication. Ewell  was  ordered  to  move  from  Carlisle  and 
York  to  the  same  point. 

From  his  headquarters  at  Chambersburg  General  Lee,  on 
June  27,  had  issued  an  order  to  his  army  respecting  their 
conduct  while  on  the  enemy’s  soil,  praising  them  for  their 
past  fortitude,  and  closing  with  these  words: 

“ The  Commanding  General  therefore  earnestly  exhorts  the  troops 
to  abstain,  with  most  scrupulous  care,  from  unnecessary  and  wanton 
injury  to  private  property;  and  he  enjoins  upon  all  officers  to  arrest 
and  bring  to  summary  punishment  all  who  shall  in  any  way  offend 
against  the  orders  on  this  subject. 

“ R.  E.  Lee,  General.” 

The  Confederates  exacted  supplies  of  the  inhabitants,  but 
there  were  no  authentically  reported  cases  of  wilful  destruc- 
tion of  private  property  as  invariably  occurred  in  Grierson’s 
raid,  or  in  Sherman’s  occupation  of  Jackson,  or  the  fearful 
conditions  that  were  later  of  such  common  occurrence  in  the 
Shenandoah  Valley  and  through  Georgia  and  the  Carolinas. 

On  June  30  General  Meade  issued  an  address  to  his  army, 
telling  them  of  the  gravity  of  their  situation,  commending 
them  for  their  past  work,  bringing  to  their  minds  the  fact 
that  their  soil  was  being  invaded,  and  that  the  whole  country 
depended  upon  their  valor. 


CAMPAIGN  AND  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBUEG  167 


It  was  not  until  the  night  of  June  29  that  Meade,  rightly 
interpreting  Lee’s  plan  of  concentrating  his  army  east  of 
South  Mountain,  moved  cautiously  toward  Gettysburg  and 
made  intrenchments  on  a range  of  hills  south  and  east  of 
the  town.  But  on  dime  30,  about  noon,  a detachment  of 
Federal  cavalry  under  Buford  passed  through  Gettysburg  and 
had  a short  conflict  with  the  advance  of  Hill’s  corps,  which 
was  moving  from  Cashtown.  On  the  night  of  June  30, 
Meade  ordered  Reynolds  and  Howard  to  move  at  once  to 
Gettysburg.  This  was  the  left  wing  of  Meade’s  army,  the 
center  was  commanded  by  Sickles  and  Slocum,  and  the  right 
by  Hancock  (Couch’s  old  coi-ps),  Sykes  (formerly  Meade’s 
corps)  and  Sedgwick. 

The  Battle-Ground  of  Gettysburg. — The  little  town  of 
Gettysburg  is  situated  on  a small  plateau  from  which  a 
number  of  roads  radiated.  Lying  south  of  Gettysburg 
are  a chain  of  hills  and  bluffs,  shaped  very  much  like 
a huge  flsh-hook,  extending  four  and  one-half  miles.  The 
point  of  the  hook  may  be  represented  by  Wolf’s  Hill,  the 
barb  and  curve  by  Culp’s  Hill,  while  the  stem  is  made  by  a 
series  of  hills  running  southward  and  culminating  in  Little 
Bound  Top, — a prominence  two  himdred  and  eighty  feet 
high, — and  Round  Top,  some  four  hundred  feet  high. 

The  Chamhersburg  road  extended  northward  and  westward, 
the  Carlisle  road  almost  due  north,  the  Harrisburg  road 
northeast,  the  Baltimore  road  southeast  and  the  Emmetsburg 
road  nearly  due  south,  bending  slightly  to  the  west.  Be- 
tween Wolf’s  Hill  and  Culp’s  Hill  ran  Rock  Creek  and  on 
its  west  was  the  Cemetery  Ridge  just  described. 

West  of  Little  Round  Top  and  Round  Top  and  near  their 
base  is  a small  creek  called  Plum  Run.  The  two  elevations 
referred  to  were  naturally  strong  military  protection;  from 
their  slopes  a cultivated  valley  extended  for  nearly  a mile 
to  another  crest,  known  as  Seminary  Ridge, — so-called  be- 
cause of  a theological  seminary  that  was  located  there, — 


168 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


and  also  called  Oak  Eidge  on  account  of  the  oak  grove  that 
covered  it.  Between  these  two  ridges  ran  the  Emmetshurg 
road. 

For  three  days  two  mighty  armies  were  to  wage  relent- 
less battle  over  these  picturesque  valleys  and  hills.  Every 
foot  of  ground  was  to  be  stubbornly  and  obstinately  fought 
over;  thousands  were  to  lay  down  their  lives  for  the  cause 
they  deemed  right;  here  was  to  be  really  decided  the  fate 
of  the  nation;  here  names  were  to  shine  with  a luster  that 
time  cannot  tarnish. 

The  Battle.  First  Day.  July  1,  1863. — On  Wednes- 
day morning,  July  1,  Heth  had  asked  permission  of  General 
Hill  to  move  into  Gettysburg  in  order  to  get  shoes  for  his  many 
barefooted  men,  if  Hill  had  no  objection.  To  this  request 
Hill  replied:  “ ISione  in  the  world,”  so  about  9 a.  m.  Heth’s 
division  reached  a point  one  mile  west  of  Gettysburg,  where 
he  met  Buford’s  cavalry. 

Eeynolds,  on  hearing  the  firing,  had  hurried  forward  the 
First  Corps,  led  by  Wadsworth’s  division,  which  came  up  at 
10  a.  m.,  and  which  was  soon  reinforced  by  the  divisions  of 
Doubleday  and  Eobinson.  Eeynolds  had  sent  word  to  How- 
ard to  come  to  his  assistance.  By  noon  Hill  had  brought  up 
Pender’s  division,  at  the  same  time  that  Eeynolds  had  ordered 
a charge  from  the  skirts  of  the  woods ; hut  the  brave  and 
capable  Federal  general  was  shot  through  the  neck  and  died 
before  he  could  be  removed  from  the  field. 

General  Howard  arrived  at  1 p.  m.,  with  the  Schurz  and 
Barlow  divisions,  and  took  up  his  position  on  the  right  of  the 
First  Corps, — just  north  of  the  town.  The  Third  Division 
under  Van  Stein wehr  had  been  left  as  a reserve  on  Cemetery 
Eidge.  Howard  now  assumed  full  command  and  placed 
Schurz  in  command  of  the  Eleventh  Corps. 

Howard  had  scarcely  arranged  his  troops,  when  at  2 :30 
p.  m.  Eodes’  division  of  Ewell’s  corps  made  a junction  with 
Heth  on  Hill’s  left,  and  from  an  elevation  opposite  Schurz’s 


CAMPAIGN  AND  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBUEG  169 


division  of  the  Eleventh  Corps  made  a strong  attack;  and 
with  his  artillery  and  by  rapidly  advancing  his  infantry  he 
broke  the  line  between  the  First  Corps  and  the  Eleventh. 
The  Eederals  at  this  point  were  again  facing  the  same  men 
who  so  badly  had  beaten  them  at  Chancellorsville,  and  they 
were  making  a brave  stand  to  redeem  that  defeat;  but  could 
not  resist  the  impetuosity  of  the  Southerners. 

At  3 p.  m.,  while  Bodes  was  pushing  his  advantage,  Gen- 
eral Early  had  made  a strong  flank  attack  on  Barlow, — the 
right  of  the  Eleventh  Corps.  Barlow  was  wounded  and  cap- 
tured with  the  division  commander  of  Schnrz’s  old  division. 
By  4 p.  m.  the  whole  Federal  force  was  in  full  retreat  through 
Gettysburg  to  make  a final  stand  on  Cemetery  Eidge.  Stein- 
wehr  had  wisely  strengthened  his  position.  General  Han- 
cock, a great  favorite  with  the  army,  had  arrived  in  person 
to  arrange  and  encourage  the  soldiers. 

Lee  did  not  press  his  advantage;  he  was  desirous  to  have 
Longstreet  present  before  delivering  a general  battle,  so  de- 
layed, giving  the  Federals  time  during  the  night  and  the  fol- 
lowing day  to  assume  a strong  position, — a serious  mistake 
which  further  events  prove  was  disastrous  to  the  final  suc- 
cess of  the  Confederacy. 

Hill  and  Ewell  were  halted  at  5 p.  m.  At  6 p.  m.  Slocum’s 
Twelfth  Corps  came  up  and  was  put  in  position,  the  Third 
Corps  under  Sickles  came  next  and  by  midnight  Hancock’s, 

— or  the  Second  Corps,  arrived  from  Tarrytown.  The  first 
day’s  battle  was  a splendid  Confederate  success.  There  had 
been  engaged  two  divisions  of  Hill’s  corps  and  two  of  Ewell’s, 

— or  26,000  men, — on  the  Confederate  side,  while  the  Fed- 
erals had  23,000  men,  including  their  cavalry. 

The  Confederates  lost  5000  men,  killed,  wounded,  and 
missing. 

The  Federals  lost  5000  prisoners,  and  3000  killed  and 
wounded. 

July  2,  1863. — The  Fifth  Corps  of  the  Federal  army, 


170  HISTOET  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 

commanded  by  Sykes,  was  23  miles  from  Gettysburg  late 
in  tbe  afternoon  of  the  1st  of  J uly,  but  arrived  on  the  battle- 
ground early  on  the  morning  of  the  2d.  Sedgwick  was  at 
Manchester,  32  miles  away;  but,  by  forced  march,  arrived 
at  2 p.  m.,  July  2,  and  was  placed  on  the  extreme  left,  behind 
Eound  Top. 

General  Meade  reached  the  Federal  lines  at  1 a.  m.,  July 
2.  He  fixed  his  headquarters  at  a farmhouse  on  the  Tarry- 
town  Eoad,  behind  the  grove  that  grew  almost  in  the  middle 
of  the  stem  of  the  fish-hook.  The  Federal  army  was  well  ar- 
ranged and  concentrated  over  Cemetery  Eidge.  Slocum  oc- 
cupied Cidp’s  Hill,  on  the  right;  then  came  Hewton,  who  com- 
manded the  First  Corps.  The  Eleventh  Corps  was  in  the 
position  it  had  assumed  on  its  retreat  under  Howard.  The 
Second  and  the  Third  Corps,  under  Hancock  and  Sickles,  oc- 
cupied the  remainder  of  the  Eidge.  Sykes,  in  command  of 
the  Fifth  Corps  at  Little  Eound  Top,  was  to  be  held  in  re- 
serve and  supported  by  Sedgwick  on  his  arrival. 

During  the  night  of  July  1 General  Lee  had  cautiously 
occupied  Seminary  Eidge.  The  summit  of  the  ridge  was  well 
covered  with  oak  and  pine  trees.  Longstreet’s  corps  was 
placed  on  the  extreme  right.  Hill  in  the  center,  and  Ewell  on 
the  left.  Lee’s  line  was  some  five  miles  long,  while  Meade’s 
was  more  compact, — scarcely  four.  On  the  morning  of 
July  2 Lee  delayed  his  attack  and  allowed  Meade  to 
gather  all  his  resources  in  a favorable  defensive  position. 
There  was  nothing  to  compel  him  to  a severe,  offensive  en- 
gagement against  a numerically  stronger  force,  but  the  taste 
of  victory  on  the  1st  of  July,  and  the  eagerness  of  his  army 
for  action  added  to  the  great  confidence  Lee  had  in  his  army’s 
ability  to  gain  a victory,  and  the  difficulty  of  a withdrawal  in 
the  face  of  the  foe,  influenced  Lee  to  undertake  the  engage- 
ment. 

However,  there  seems  to  have  occurred  a misimderstand- 
ing  between  Lee  and  Longstreet  concerning  the  order  of  battle. 
According  to  the  evidence  of  Gen.  W.  H.  Pendleton,  Lee’s 


CAMPAIGIT  AND  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBUKG  171 


chief  of  artillery  and  trusted  friend;  of  General  Long,  one 
of  Lee’s  stalf  officers;  of  Gen.  A,  P.  Hill,  in  Lis  official  re- 
port, and  of  General  Early,  it  was  fully  understood  at  the 
night  conference  of  the  commanding  officers  that  General 
Longstreet  was  to  open  the  battle  on  the  right  the  following 
morning.  He  did  not  obey  the  orders  of  his  superior, 
objecting  to  making  the  attack  without  Pickett.  Lee  now 
went  to  Ewell  and  saw  that  Meade  was  strongly  intrenched 
in  his  front,  massing  his  men. 

It  was  taking  valuable  time  for  the  Confederates  to  agree 
among  themselves.  The  morning  passed  quietly,  with  the 
exception  of  some  small  skirmishes.  The  day  was  warm  and 
sultry.  The  orchards  in  the  vicinity  were  filled  with  ripen- 
ing fruit,  and  the  fields  were  showing  the  effects  of  the  sum- 
mer sun  upon  the  golden  grain.  The  cherry-trees  in  the 
vicinity  of  some  of  the  Confederate  camps  were  loaded  with 
ripening  fruit.  All  nature  was  in  striking  contrast  to  the 
scenes  of  death,  confusion,  and  horror  that  were  soon  to  fill  the 
beautiful  landscape.  The  mighty  forces  were  testing  and  pre- 
paring their  strength  for  the  awful  ordeal  that  was  to  blot 
out  thousands  of  lives. 

General  Lee,  seeing  that  Ewell  was  not  in  a position  to 
take  the  initiative,  at  11  a.  m.  again  ordered  Longstreet  to 
the  attack ; but  he  awaited  General  McLaws’  brigade.  Long- 
street’s  failure  to  obey  orders  was  in  a great  degree  responsible 
for  the  Confederates’  loss  of  the  battle. 

At  4 p.  m.,  under  fire  of  heavy  cannonading  Longstreet, 
with  the  divisions  of  Hood  and  McLaws,  attacked  General 
Sickles.  This  general  of  his  own  accord  had  moved  three- 
fourths  of  a mile  in  advance  of  Little  Bound  Top.  Hum- 
phrey was  stationed  along  the  Emmetsburg  road  with  Bimey’s 
division  which  stretched  as  far  as  the  Peach  Orchard. 

In  their  effort  to  seize  Little  Bound  Top  the  Confederates 
were  pressing  back  Sickles,  who  had  been  badly  wounded. 
General  Meade  now  sent  General  Warren  to  the  aid  of  Sickles, 
who  after  a desperate  struggle  occupied  Bound  Top  and  held  it. 


172 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


Warren  had  not  sent  Vincent’s  brigade  too  soon  to  Little 
Eound  Top  j for  this  regiment  had  scarcely  taken  position 
behind  the  huge  boulders  when  Hood’s  Texans  reached  the 
divide  between  the  Eound  Tops,  making  assault  after  assault 
in  an  effort  to  dislodge  the  Federals.  The  slaughter  was 
fearful.  Vincent,  Weed  and  Hazlitt,  Federal  generals,  were 
killed,  while  General  Hood  was  borne  severely  wounded  from 
the  field.  The  Pennsylvania  reserve,  under  General  Craw- 
ford, now  came  to  the  relief  of  Vincent’s  brigade,  forcing 
the  Confederates  to  give  up  the  contest  at  this  point.  Little 
Eound  Top  was  rescued. 

At  the  same  time  the  terrific  struggle  was  going  on  over 
the  Little  Eound  Top,  part  of  Hood’s  division  assisted  by  Mc- 
Laws  and  part  of  Anderson’s  division,  of  Hill’s  corps,  were 
engaged  in  a deadly  struggle  with  Birney  for  occupation  of  the 
Peach  Orchard.  The  Federals  were  driven  back,  their  lines 
were  broken,  and  the  Confederates  came  into  possession  of  the 
Peach  Orchard.  The  command  under  Caldwell,  sent  by  Han- 
cock to  Bimey’s  aid,  stemmed  the  tide  of  Confederate  vic- 
tory for  only  a short  time,  but  was  soon  broken.  Crawford 
now  contended  stubbornly  with  Barksdale  and  Wofford  for 
the  stone  wall.  The  Confederates  moved  back  beyond  the 
fields  to  the  woods  where  they  rested  during  the  night.  The 
position  of  Sickles  was  abandoned.  Longstreet’s  divisions 
had  done  valiant  service. 

Humphrey,  in  command  of  the  extreme  right  of  Sickles’ 
corps,  was  separated  from  Hancock’s  corps  by  half  a mile, 
and  while  the  severe  fighting  was  going  on  at  Little  Eound 
Top  and  in  the  Peach  Orchard  he  remained  unassailed.  A 
little  before  six  o’clock,  as  he  was  making  some  changes  in 
position,  General  Hill  ordered  the  divisions  of  Wright,  Perry, 
and  Wilcox  to  attack  Humphrey’s,  which  was  done  with  such 
great  zeal  that  Humphrey  was  driven  from  his  position,  los- 
ing several  guns,  and  had  it  not  been  for  timely  assistance 
would  have  allowed  the  Confederates  to  make  lodgment  on 


CAMPAIGIT  AWD  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG  173 


Cemetery  Ridge.  Wilcox  and  Wright,  who  commanded  the 
most  advanced  of  the  Confederate  divisions,  did  not  receive 
proper  support  and  were  driven  from  their  position,  with  con- 
siderable loss.  This  closed  the  fight  on  the  left  and  center. 

Lee  had  ordered  Ewell  to  begin  his  attack  on  the  Federal 
right  as  soon  as  he  heard  Longstreet’s  gains;  but  the  attack 
was  delayed  until  nearly  six  p.  m.  The  Federal  forces  now 
occupying  Cemetery  Ridge  and  Culp’s  Hill  were  the  same 
that  Ewell  and  Hill  had  defeated  the  day  befora  A ravine 
separated  Cemetery  Ridge  and  Culp’s  Hill,  and  to  the  north 
of  the  latter  was  Benner’s  Hill,  upon  which  Ewell  had  placed 
his  guns,  which  opened  the  fire. 

Early’s  divisions  now  advanced  against  Cemetery  Hill, 
with  only  two  brigades, — one  of  Horth  Carolina  and  the 
Louisiana  Tigers,  under  Ways  and  Hoke.  Through  a most 
terrible  hail  of  shrapnel  and  musketry-fire  they  cleared  the 
stone  wall  that  protected  Howard’s  men. 

Hancock  again  came  to  the  rescue,  by  sending  Carroll’s 
brigade,  which,  coming  up  when  Howard’s  command  was 
broken  and  confused,  succeeded  in  forcing  the  Confederates 
to  fall  back,  with  great  loss.  Rodes’  command,  on  Early’s 
right,  did  not  have  an  opportunity  to  give  effectual  aid  at 
the  time  that  Early  made  his  bold  attempt  against  Cemetery 
Hill.  Johnson’s  division,  known  as  the  “ Stonewall  Bri- 
gade,” advanced  across  Rock  Creek  to  the  attack  on  Culp’s 
Hill.  A line  of  breastworks  recently  occupied  by  the  First 
Corps  was  captured  and  held  by  Johnson,  who  directed  his 
assault  against  Green’s  Brigade  to  his  left;  assisted  now  by 
Wardsworth.  Meade’s  headquarters  were  endangered,  and 
the  Federal  reserve  artillery  was  almost  in  the  hands  of  the 
Confederates  when  night  stopped  the  battle. 

The  Confederates  had  the  advantage  in  the  day’s  fight, 
and  gained  ground;  but  they  had  failed  to  get  possession  of 
Little  Round  Top.  The  losses  on  both  sides  had  been  enor- 
mous; but  the  Federals  could  better  spare  the  men  they  lost. 


174- 


HISTOET  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


having  had  25,000  more  men  engaged  in  the  day’s  attack. 
General  Lee  still  felt  that  he  could  dislodge  the  Federals  the 
following  day,  and  take  them  in  their  rear,  with  the  assist- 
ance of  Pickett  and  his  magnificent  division  which  had  not 
participated  in  the  day’s  fight. 

General  Meade’s  council  of  war  determined  to  fight  it  out 
on  the  lines  they  held  and  to  wait  for  Lee  to  attack. 

July  3,  1863. — During  the  night  Johnson  was  reinforced 
hy  one  brigade  of  Early’s  and  two  brigades  of  Eodes.  The 
Federals’  right  was  strengthened  by  Geary’s  and  Williams’ 
divisions. 

At  4r  a.  m.,  July  3,  the  Federals  under  Geary  began  the 
fight  and  soon  the  battle  became  general.  The  Confederates 
held  their  position,  and  made  repeated  efforts  to  break  the 
Federal  lines  and  reach  the  Baltimore  Eoad.  The  sun  arose, 
the  heat  soon  became  intense,  and  the  dust  stifling;  hut  as 
yet  the  contestants  were  battling  alone  on  the  Federals’  right. 
About  10  a.  m.  a final  grand  charge  was  made  hy  Ewell’s 
and  J ohnson’s  forces,  but  they  were  unable  to  reach  the 
crest  of  the  strongly  fortified  hill  and  withdrew  exhausted 
toward  Eock  Creek.  Thus  practically  the  fight  on  the  Fed- 
erals’ right  ended  before  the  attack  on  the  center  or  left  had 
begun. 

From  the  end  of  Johnson’s  last  charge  there  was  a calm 
over  the  whole  battle-field.  The  midday  heat  of  the  July 
sun  was  depressing  in  its  intensity.  The  few  clouds  that 
were  scattered  over  the  heavens  in  the  early  morning  had 
vanished.  One  hundred  and  sixty  thousand  men  and  all 
nature  waited  calmly  for  the  most  dramatic,  spectacular  and 
tragic  climax;  that  took  place  during  the  great  war  between 
the  States. 

According  to  the  report  of  A.  P.  Hill  and  of  three  of  Lee’s 
staff  officers, — Venable,  Long  and  Taylor, — the  assaults 
on  the  Federals’  left  and  center,  were  to  be  made  by  Long- 
street’s  whole  corps  supported  by  half  of  Hill’s  Corps  or  all, 


CAMPAIGN  AND  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBUEG  175 


if  needed.  Subsequent  events  proved  that  a fearful  blunder 
bad  been  made,  and  the  most  daring  and  useless  sacrifice  of 
human  life  Tvas  the  result. 

Lee  had  removed  150  guns  from  opposite  Gettysburg  and 
massed  them  in  the  Peach  Orchard,  to  bombard  the  Federal 
center.  At  1 p.  m.,  immediately  after  a signal  had  been 
given,  the  most  terrific  cannonading  of  the  war  began.  Hunt, 
the  Federal  chief  of  artillery,  responded  with  80  guns,  al- 
though Meade  had  over  300  guns, — 108  in  reserve,  50  with 
the  cavalry  and  the  rest  with  the  infantry,  but  all  of  these 
were  not  concentrated  against  Lee.  This  awful  display 
continued  for  nearly  two  hours.  The  Federal  soldiers  were 
ordered  to  lie  down  on  the  ground  to  protect  themselves 
as  much  as  possible.  The  Second  Corps  of  Meade’s  army 
suffered  most,  the  commanding  general’s  headquarters  were 
abandoned,  and  there  was  considerable  loss  of  life  and  ma- 
terials of  war.  Near  3 p.  m.  the  Federal  guns  ceased,  be- 
cause Hunt’s  supply  of  ammunition  had  to  be  brought  from 
the  rear.  Lee  understood  this  to  mean  that  the  gams  on 
Cemetery  Eidge  had  been  rendered  ineffective. 

Pickett’s  Charge. — Hood’s  and  McLaws’  divisions  were 
to  cover  Longstreet’s  right  flank.  Meade  had  sent  Kilpat- 
rick’s cavalry  to  his  extreme  left,  which  was  splendid 
foresight,  for  it  kept  out  of  the  fight  these  two  fine  di- 
visions of  Longstreet’s  corps.  The  Confederate  colirmn, 
which  made  this  immortal  charge,  consisted  of  Pickett’s  three 
brigades  of  5000  men  arranged  in  two  lines  of  battle,  with 
Kemper  on  the  right,  Garnett  on  the  left,  and  Armistead  in 
the  rear.  Six  brigades  of  Hill’s  coiqDS,  which  in  the  two  days’ 
fight  had  been  cut  down  to  scarcely  7000  men  were  com- 
manded by  General  Pettigi-ew,  a nephew  of  the  Confederacy’s 
President.  This  was  the  old  division  of  General  Heth,  who 
had  been  wounded  on  July  1.  They  were  placed  on  Pickett’s 
left.  Twenty-five  hundred  men  of  Pender’s  division  were 
placed  under  Trimble  in  the  second  line.  Wilcox’s  brigade. 


176 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


of  Anderson’s  division,  and  Hill’s  corps  with  twelve  hundred 
Alabamians,  protected  the  right  flank  of  Pickett’s  division. 
The  whole  assaulting  force  amounted  to  15,700.  Lee  fully 
expected  that  half  of  his  army  would  come  to  their  assistance, 
but  he  was  doomed  to  a heart  breaking  disappointment. 

General  Pickett  at  the  head  of  this  force  led  the  heroic 
charge  to  break  the  center  of  the  Federal  lines  on  Cemetery 
Hill.  The  Confederate  guns  were  silent;  and  as  the  Con- 
federates advanced  across  the  valley,  the  Federal  artillery 
renewed  its  fire  with  deadly  effect.  Thousands  of  rifles  were 
discharging  their  contents  into  the  advancing  lines.  Shells, 
shrapnel,  and  canister  decimated  the  ranks  at  every  step. 
Every  foot  of  the  way  was  strewn  with  the  dead.  There  was 
no  halting,  there  was  no  turning  back,  the  officers  who  were 
leading,  and  the  privates  in  the  ranks  were  emboldened  with 
something  more  than  momentary  enthusiasm  to  bear  them 
forward  in  the  midst  of  this  terrible  fire. 

Over  the  first  line  of  Federal  breastworks  the  heroic 
Pickett  dashes,  followed  by  the  remnant  of  his  fearless  com- 
mand. His  brigade  commanders  are  no  longer  with  him, 
Garnett  is  killed,  Kemper  has  been  shot  down,  and  Armistead 
has  received  a fatal  wound.  The  Confederate  battle-flag  is 
planted  on  the  Federals’  breastworks,  the  conflict  is  fierce, 
stubborn  and  hand  to  hand.  The  odds  against  Pickett  are 
too  gi’eat.  Where  are  the  strong  arms  that  he  supposed 
would  now  support  him,  since  his  men  have  done  all  it  was 
possible  for  men  to  do  ? Gibbons’  line  has  been  broken,  but 
Hancock  concentrates  his  divisions  under  Hall,  Harrow, 
with  part  of  Doubleday’s ; the  numbers  are  too  great ! Pickett 
yields,  part  of  his  men  surrender  and  the  rest  under  the 
murderous  fire  retrace  their  steps  across  the  valley  over  which 
they  had  so  recently  come,  with  two-thirds  of  their  comrades 
left  upon  the  battle-field. 

Pettigrew’s  command  on  the  left  contained  a number  of 
raw  soldiers.  As  they  came  within  range  of  the  concen- 


CAMPAIGN  AND  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBUEG  177 


trated  fire  of  Hays’  and  Woodruff’s  "batteries  on  the  ridge, 
their  loss  was  so  great  that  they  became  disorganized.  Gen- 
eral Pettigrew,  although  wounded,  tried  to  rally  them,  hut 
did  not  succeed  until  several  hundred  had  surrendered. 

Wilcox’s  brigade  of  Alabamians  were  not  ordered  to  ad- 
vance until  Pickett’s  division  had  gone  four  hundred  yards. 
They  were  subjected  to  a most  destructive  fire  in  their  fianks 
from  the  Federals’  left.  Wilcox  reported  that  he  could  not 
see  Pickett’s  command,  and  that  upon  his  flank  being  threat- 
ened he  ordered  a retreat  after  losing  201  killed  and  woimded 
from  his  rank  of  1200  men. 

Pickett’s  charge  ended  the  great  struggle  at  Gettysburg. 
Imboden  relates  an  affecting  interview  with  General  Lee  the 
night  following  the  great  battle.  About  1 a.  m.,  July  4,  he 
joined  Lee  who  had  directed  him  to  wait  at  his  headquarters 
for  him.  He  writes : 

‘‘  A full  moon  was  shining  in  the  clear  sky.  On  the  gen- 
eral’s approach  upon  his  horse,  his  features  were  distinctly 
outlined,  which  revealed  a deeper  expression  of  sadness  than 
he  had  ever  before  seen  in  the  other  vicissitudes  of  war.  His 
whole  attitude  suggested  great  weariness.  In  sympathy  the 
officers,  alluding  to  his  fatigue  remarked : ‘ General,  this 

has  been  a hard  day  for  you.’  He  looked  up  and  replied 
mournfully,  ^ Yes,  it  has  been  a sad,  sad  day  to  us,  but  we 
cannot  expect  always  to  win  victories.’  A little  later  he 
complimented  the  courageous  charge  of  Pickett’s  division, 
saying  that  had  they  been  properly  supported  they  would 
have  held  the  position  they  so  gloriously  won.  A moment 
later  he  uttered  in  his  agony  ‘ Too  bad,  too  bad,  too  bad ! ’ 
and  soon  exclaimed,  ‘ We  must  go  back  to  Virginia.’  ” 

Results:  The  Confederates  had  62,000  men  engaged  in 
this  battle  for  the  cavalry  under  J.  E.  B.  Stuart  had  not 
been  actively  fighting  during  the  battle  of  Gettysburg.  The 


178 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAB 


Federals  had  an  army  of  105,000  men,  but  the  Sixth  Corps 
of  16,000  men  were  held  as  a reserve;  which  made  89,000 
actively  engaged  in  the  fight. 

The  Confederates  lost  in  killed  2592;  wounded,  12,709, 
and  missing  5150.  General  Meade  reported  that  he  captured 
13,621  prisoners;  but  the  greater  part  of  these  were  among 
the  wounded.  He  also  captured  2 guns  and  24,978  small 
arms. 

The  Federals  lost  in  killed  3072,  wounded  14,477,  and 
prisoners,  5434.  The  combined  loss  of  Lee’s  and  Meade’s 
armies  in  killed  and  wounded  was  about  32,000  men  or  20 
per  cent.  There  was  also  a very  heavy  loss  of  general  officers 
in  both  armies.  Heither  army  was  inclined  to  show  the  ag- 
gressive spirit ; both  of  the  contending  forces  being  so  ex- 
hausted that  no  military  movement  was  made  on  the  4th. 
At  midday,  J nlj  4,  a heavy  fall  of  rain  began  and  continued 
until  late  at  night. 

By  noon  of  Jiily  5,  which  was  Sunday,  Ewell’s  corps, 
which  brought  up  the  rear  of  Lee’s  aiuny  in  its  retreat,  left 
its  position  at  Gettysburg.  By  midnight  of  the  5th  of  July 
Lee’s  army  was  well  on  its  way  to  Williamsport  on  the  Po- 
tomac, situated  twenty  miles  above  Harper’s  Ferry.  Lee 
found  the  Potomac  so  swollen  that  he  was  forced  to  wait 
until  July  12  before  attempting  a crossing.  He  drew  his 
army  up  in  line  of  battle,  with  his  right  wing  resting  on  the 
Potomac  and  the  left  at  Hagerstown.  He  was  undisturbed 
except  by  the  cavalry  of  Pleasanton,  Buford,  and  Kilpat- 
rick on  the  6th  at  Hagerstown,  and  again  in  the  crossing 
(July  13)  when  General  Pettigrew  was  killed  with  125  sol- 
diers, and  when  1500  prisoners  were  taken. 

By  night,  July  14,  Lee’s  whole  army  had  crossed  to  the 
southern  bank  of  the  Potomac.  Lee  had  effected  a splendid 
retreat,  while  Meade  had  hesitated  in  his  maneuvering.  The 
northern  people  had  expected  the  Federal  general  to  follow 
up  his  victory.  Meade  was  so  severely  criticised  that  he 


CAMPAIGN  AND  BATTLE  OE  GETTYSBUEG  179 


asked  to  be  relieved  from  the  command,  but  President  Lin- 
coln declined  to  do  so. 

Lee  now  retreated  up  the  Shenandoah  and  rested ; he,  how- 
ever, continued  to  recruit  and  resupply  his  army  south  of  the 
Eapidan  during  August. 

Meade  moved  his  army  south  of  the  Potomac  and  soon 
concentrated  his  forces  at  Warrenton  Junction;  and  by  Sep- 
tember 13  occupied  the  country  between  the  Bapidan  and 
Rappahannock  with  his  headquarters  at  Culpeper  Court 
House.  Meade  had  in  the  meantime  sent  part  of  his  troops 
to  New  York  and  other  Northern  cities  to  quiet  riots  excited 
by  the  conscription  laws.  Lee  took  advantage  of  this  to 
send  Longstreet’s  corps  to  Bragg’s  aid  in  northern  Georgia. 
Both  armies,  exhausted  by  the  Gettysburg  Campaign,  had 
earned  a well-merited  rest. 

Gettysburg  and  Vicksburg  were  twin  victories  for  the  Eed- 
erals ; and  from  this  period,  in  spite  of  all  the  sacrifices  of 
the  South,  the  fortimes  of  the  Confederacy  declined  until  its 
last  hope  of  establishing  a separate  republic  was  shattered 
by  Lee’s  surrender  at  Appomattox. 


CHAPTER  XXVI 


THE  SUMMEE  EXPEDITION  AGAINST  CHAELEBTON,  1863 

After  Dupont’s  failure  in  the  first  attempt  against  Charles- 
ton Beauregard  had  been  compelled  to  reduce  the  size  of  his 
garrison  by  sending  a large  number  of  his  men  to  Mississippi 
and  to  Virginia  to  reinforce  Lee.  This  reduced  the  garrison 
to  6000  men.  In  June  Gen.  D.  A.  Gilmore,  under  cover  of 
night,  began  to  gather  supplies  at  Folly  Island,  which  is 
separated  from  Morris  Island,  by  Light  House  Inlet.  He 
hoped  to  capture  Fort  Wagner, — a strong  Confederate 
fortress  that  commanded  the  south  entrance  of  Charleston 
harbor,  being  situated  at  the  northern  point  of  Morris  Island. 

Gilmore  had  at  his  disposal  a force  of  18,000  men,  66 
guns  and  30  mortars.  Dahlgren  had  the  frigate  Ironsides 
and  a half-dozen  monitors.  By  the  beginning  of  July  the  bat- 
teries were  completed  at  the  northern  end  of  Folly  Island. 
They  consisted  of  48  large  guns,  with  200  rounds  of  am- 
munition. 

Preparatory  to  an  attack  on  Morris  Island  Gen.  A.  H. 
Terry,  with  6000  men  had  been  sent  to  make  a diversion  on 
James  Island,  situated  between  Charleston  and  Morris  Island; 
and  from  this  position  he  prevented  Beauregard  from  aiding 
Morris  Island.  On  the  night  of  the  9th  of  July  2000  men, 
under  General  Strong  were  sent  by  Tyler  to  Light  House 
Inlet.  On  the  morning  of  July  10  the  Federal  batteries, 
in  conjunction  with  General  Strong,  assaulted  the  Confeder- 
ate works  at  the  southern  end  of  Morris  Island  and  captured 
11  guns ; but  the  Confederates  fied  to  Fort  Wagner. 


EXPEDITION  AGAINST  CBANLESTON  181 


An  attack  was  made  against  Fort  Wagner  early  in  tke 
morning  of  July  11  by  tbe  Federals;  but  they  were  repulsed. 
Another  assault  was  made  July  18,  about  noon.  Gilmore, 
from  his  batteries,  and  Dahlgren,  from  his  monitor,  began  a 
bombardment  of  the  Fort. 

It  was  late  in  the  evening  before  the  Federal  forces 
moved  to  the  attack.  They  were  led  by  General  Tyler, 
who  had  withdrawn  from  James  Island  with  General 
Strong  and  Colonel  Shaw,  who  led  a regiment  of  negro 
troops.  They  moved  bravely  to  the  attack,  but  when 
about  600  feet  from  the  Confederate  works,  they  were 
met  by  a most  destructive  musketry  fire.  Colonel  Shaw 
was  killed,  and  General  Strong  was  fatally  wounded.  The 
regiments  continued  to  advance  with  desperation,  to  the  second 
parapet,  but  were  so  fearfully  punished  that  the  shattered 
remnants  were  forced  to  fall  back  and  seek  safety  in  the 
darkness  that  now  covered  them.  The  Federal  loss  had  been 
nearly  1550  men,  and  the  Confederates’  about  100  men. 

Gilmore  now  began  a regular  siege  of  Fort  Wagner, — a 
siege  that  continued  until  August  10  by  which  time  Gilmore 
had  lost  1800  men,  and  the  Confederates  400. 

From  August  17  to  August  24  Gilmore,  with  his  batteries 
of  28  guns  and  12  mortars,  aided  by  Dahlgren,  kept  up  an 
almost  continuous  bombardment  on  Fort  Sumter,  which  was 
reduced  to  ruin  but  had  not  surrendered. 

Gilmore  now  advanced  his  guns  under  cover  closer  to  Fort 
Wagner,  but  was  greatly  annoyed  by  the  Confederate  sharp- 
shooters. On  September  5 the  land  batteries  in  conjunction 
with  the  new  Ironsides  began  a fearful  bombardment  against 
Fort  Wagner, — a bombardment  that  lasted  forty-two  hours. 
After  a few  hours  the  garrison  had  quietly  withdrawn  and 
escaped  to  Charleston.  The  assault  was  ordered  to  be  made 
on  the  morning  of  September  7,  when  the  Federals  found  that 
the  two  forts, — Gregg  and  Wagner,  in  which  were  left  25 
guns, — had  been  vacated. 


182 


HISTOET  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


Repulse  of  Federals  at  Fort  Sumter. — On  the  night 
of  September  8 Dahlgren  had  sent  a force  to  take  possession 
of  the  supposedly  vacated  Fort  Sumter;  but  as  the  Federals 
tmder  Commander  Stephens  were  advancing  from  the  land- 
ing they  were  fired  upon  by  the  infantry  in  the  fort.  The 
Federals  hastened  back  to  their  boats,  losing  200  men, — 
killed,  wounded  and  captured, — besides  several  boats  and 
flags. 

The  Federals  now  mounted  guns  at  Fort  Wagner  and  con- 
tinued to  bombard  Fort  Sumter;  but  Charleston  had  not  been 
captured  although  the  blockade  was  more  complete.  Charles- 
ton was  not  taken  by  the  Federals  until  Gilmor  occupied 
it  while  Sherman  was  on  his  march  from  Savannah  to  Colum- 
bia, S.  C. 


CHAPTER  XXVII 


CHICKAMAUGA  AND  CHATTANOOGA  CAMPAIGN 

After  the  battle  of  Stone  River, — which  as  we  have  seen, 
closed  the  military  operations  of  the  year  1862  in  middle 
Tennessee, — General  Bragg  had  talien  up  a strong  position 
north  of  Duck  River.  His  infantry  extended  from  Shelby- 
ville  to  Wartrace,  hut  his  cavalry  was  posted  on  his  right 
as  far  as  McMinnville  and  on  his  left  as  far  as  Columbia. 
During  the  early  months  of  1863  Rosecrans  and  Bragg  occu- 
pied their  time  in  reorganizing  and  resupplying  their  forces. 
Neither  army  made  any  serious  effort  to  bring  about  a general 
engagement  until  June.  Bragg’s  bases  of  supplies  were  Tul- 
lahoma  and  Chattanooga,  Rosecrans’  were  Nashville  and 
Louisville.  Although  it  was  a long  time  before  the  two 
armies  were  prepared  to  move,  there  were  several  severe  skirm- 
ishes and  some  important  raids  by  the  cavalry  of  both  armies. 

Wheeler  and  Forrest  Sent  Against  Fort  Donelson. 

— In  the  early  part  of  Eebiuiary,  in  order  to  interrupt  the 
passage  of  supplies  up  the  Cumberland  River  to  Nashville, 
Wheeler  and  Forrest  were  sent  to  make  an  assault  on  Dover 
if  they  deemed  it  wise.  On  February  3,  at  12  :30  p.  m.,  with 
1000  men,  they  appeared  before  Dover,  where  Col.  A.  C. 
Harding  with  800  men,  was  well  intrenched  with  a battery 
and  one  32-pound  siege-gun.  Against  Forrest’s  wishes,  an 
attack  was  ordered  by  Wheeler;  but  the  Confederates  were 
severely  repulsed,  losing  17  men  killed,  60  wounded,  8 miss- 
ing, and  200  prisoners.  The  Federals  lost  13  killed,  51 
wounded,  and  46  prisoners.  On  February  4 the  Confederates 
moved  towards  Columbia. 


183 


184 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


Van  Dorn’s  Operations. — On  the  morning  of  March  5, 
■while  Gen.  John  Colburn,  a Federal  oflticer,  "was  moving  from 
Franklin  he  came  into  a severe  encounter  at  Thompson  Sta- 
tion "with  Van  Dom  and  Forrest,  who  were  in  command  of 
nearly  6000  men.  After  a stubborn  resistance,  Colburn,  who 
had  2450  infantry  and  600  cavalry,  was  compelled  to  seek 
safety  in  flight.  The  Federals  lost  88  killed,  206  wounded, 
and  1300  captured:  a total  of  1500.  The  Confederates  lost 
357  men. 

On  April  10  Van  Dom  attacked  General  Granger  on  the 
northern  side  of  Hai’peth  River  near  Franklin.  The  Fed- 
erals were  well  fortified  and,  for  a while  had  the  advantage 
of  the  fight,  having  captured  several  hundred  Confederates. 
Van  Dorn  recovered  and  withdrew  toward  Spring  Hill  hav- 
ing lost  nearly  300  men,  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners. 
General  Granger’s  losses  were  much  less. 

Col.  A.  D.  Streight’s  Raid.—  Colonel  Streight,  with  one 
Indiana  regiment  and  one  Illinois  regiment,  in  addition  to 
parts  of  two  Ohio  regiments,  embarked  from  Hashville  April 
11  for  Dover,  with  the  purpose  of  marching  across  to  Fort 
Henry,  and  thence  going  up  the  Tennessee  River  to  Eastport, 
Miss.  He  reached  this  place  April  19.  The  purpose  of  this 
independent  command  was  to  join  General  Dodge  on  the  Mem- 
phis and  Charleston  Railroad  and  to  continue  with  him  as  far 
as  Tuscumbia ; then  leaving  him,  to  march  to  Moulton,  Ala. 
From  this  place  Streight  was  to  proceed  to  Rome,  Ga.,  destroy- 
ing railroad  stores,  supplies,  manufactories, — in  fact,  every- 
thing that  could  be  of  any  benefit  to  the  support  of  an  army. 
The  object  of  this  raid  was  to  destroy  Bragg’s  supplies. 

Forrest’s  Pursuit  of  Streight. — April  23  Gen.  H.  B. 
Forrest,  stationed  at  Spring  Hill,  received  a message  from 
Bragg  to  make  a forced  march  with  his  old  brigade  to  De- 
catur, Ala.,  and  there  unite  with  Colonel  Roddey.  On  April 
26  Fori’est  crossed  the  Tennessee  River  at  Brown’s  Ferry, 
near  Courtland,  Ala.  Streight  had  left  Tuscumbia  on  April 


CHICKAMAUGA  AND  CHATTANOOGA  185 


26  for  ITourit  Hope.  His  troops  were  well  mounted  on  mules. 

At  1 a.  m.,  April  29,  Streight  left  Moulton;  and  the  same 
morning  Forrest,  with  1500  men,  was  at  Courtland,  ten  miles 
away.  After  looking  carefully  into  the  details  of  food  and 
to  the  welfare  of  the  horses  Forrest  started  on  the  tireless, 
persistent  and  successful  pursuit  of  Streight.  The  Federal 
general  becoming  aware  of  Forrest’s  purpose,  pushed  forward 
rapidly  to  Sand  Mountain,  which  he  reached  at  midnight  on 
the  29th.  Forrest  Avas  then  within  four  miles  of  the  Federals’ 
command. 

On  April  30  at  Drivers  Gap,  in  Sand  Mountain,  Streight 
attacked  the  Confederates,  capturing  two  guns,  and  gained 
two  hours  by  his  success.  A desperate  and  continuous  run- 
ning race  noAV  began  and  continued  for  four  days.  Nine 
miles  from  Day’s  Gap  on  Hog  Mountain  Forrest  overtook 
Streight  and  recaptured  the  two  gams.  This  combat  continued 
until  10  p.  m.  of  the  30th.  Streight  was  allowed  to  have 
no  rest  but  was  forced  to  push  forward  to  Blountsville,  which 
he  reached  at  10  a.  m..  May  1.  Forrest’s  men  had  ridden 
18  hours  and  fought  nearly  18  hours.  Late  in  the  evening 
of  May  1 Streight  crossed  Black  Warrior  River,  and  at 
9 a.  m.,  May  2,  passed  over  Black  Creek  Bridge  which  was 
supposed  to  be  the  only  means  of  crossing  the  deep,  sluggish 
stream. 

A lost  ford  was  revealed  to  Forrest  by  a girl  named  Emma 
Sanson,  who  lived  near  the  place.  In  the  face  of  danger  she 
offered  her  services  and  hastened  Forrest’s  movements  fully 
3 hours.  By  noon  Forrest  reached  Blount’s  Plantation,  12 
miles  west  of  Gadsden,  where  Col.  Gilbert  Hathaway  fell. 
At  this  time  Forrest’s  force  had  been  reduced  about  half  by 
exhaustion  and  wounds. 

Streight’s  men  were  nearly  exhausted  when,  at  sunrise 
May  3,  they  reached  Cedar  Bluff,  28  miles  east  of  Gadsden. 
At  noon  his  troops  came  to  Lawrence,  a village  about  15  miles 
from  Rome,  Ga.  When  almost  in  sight  of  the  church  spires 


186 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


of  the  city  that  they  were  so  eager  to  destroy,  Forrest  came 
upon  them  and  by  the  unique  disposition  of  his  troops,  caused 
the  Federals  to  think  that  the  Confederate  force  was  much 
superior.  Forrest  now  peremptorily  demanded  the  Federals’ 
surrender ; whereupon  General  Streight  surrendered  his  force 
of  1600  men,  rifles  and  animals. 

There  was  never  in  the  war  another  instance  in  which  a 
great  game  of  bluff,  aided  by  daring  courage,  brought  such 
marked  success  to  so  small  a body  of  men. 

General  Morgan’s  Famous  Raid. — In  the  beginning  of 
Rosecrans’  movement  Bragg  had  sent  (July  2)  Gen.  John 
Morgan  with  a splendid  body  of  cavalrymen  (2028)  across 
the  Cumberland  Elver  above  ISTashville  for  the  purpose  of 
interrupting  the  Federal  general’s  supplies  and  delaying  his 
movement.  At  Burkesville,  Ky.,  Morgan  crossed  the  Cum- 
berland Eiver  and  moved  to  Columbia,  Ky.,  where  he  defeated 
a small  body  of  cavalry  under  General  Curtis,  who  was  killed. 
At  Green  Eiver  a number  of  Morgan’s  men  were  killed  in  a 
skirmish  with  Colonel  Moore’s  command. 

Morgan  now  advanced  toward  Lebanon  and  captured  a 
regiment  of  600  men,  with  large  supplies,  and  pushing  rap- 
idly through  Bardstown  the  daring  raider  reached  Brandens- 
burg,  on  the  Ohio  River  forty  miles  below  Louisville  on 
July  7.  General  Bragg  had  given  Morgan  orders  not  to 
cross  the  Ohio  River,  hut  he  now  counted  on  the  aid  of  the 
peace  men  and  Southern  sympathizers  along  the  southern 
border  of  Indiana  and  Ohio,  and  also  on  the  success  of  Lee, 
of  whose  defeat  at  Gettysburg  he  had  not  heard. 

On  July  8 Morgan  captured  two  steamboats  and  crossed 
the  Ohio.  General  Hobson,  on  July  9,  with  a strong  body 
of  cavalry,  reached  the  place  and  crossed  into  Indiana  in 
pursuit  of  Morgan.  A large  part  of  General  Judah’s  com- 
mand was  sent  up  the  Ohio  River  on  transports  to  intercept 
the  Confederates,  should  they  attempt  to  cross  the  river ; while 
the  militia  of  Indiana  and  Ohio  were  concentrating  to  de- 


CHICKAMAUGA  AA^D  CHATTAATOOGA  187 


stroy  him.  When  Morgan  came  into  Indiana  he  heard  of 
Lee’s  defeat  and  seeing  at  once  his  own  desperate  situation, 
he  decided  to  go  up  the  river  to  a point  where  he  could  ford. 
On  July  9 at  Cory  don,  he  dispersed  and  captured  a body  of 
militia  numbering  nearly  4000  men;  then  passing  through 
Salem  and  Lexington  he  destroyed  the  railroad  bridges  to 
Vernon,  which  he  reached  July  12.  While  part  of  his  forces 
skirmished  with  General  Lowe’s  militia  at  this  point,  his  main 
force  moved  onward  to  Harrison.  At  Versailles  500  of  the 
militia  were  captured. 

July  13  Morgan  had  reached  the  boundary  line  of  Ohio 
and  Indiana,  when  Hobson’s  command  was  forty  miles  in 
his  rear.  After  making  a pretense  of  moving  against  Hamil- 
ton, Ohio,  he  crossed  the  Miami  about  12  miles  north  of  Cin- 
cinnati. This  action  caused  Burnside  to  draw  his  forces  into 
Cincinnati  and  allowed  Morgan  to  pass  to  the  eastward  of  the 
city.  Morgan  now  headed  for  Buffington  Ford,  just  above  the 
mouth  of  the  Kanawha  River,  150  miles  above  Cincinnati,  and 
just  below  Parkersburg.  He  reached  the  ford  July  18  and 
found  the  river  swollen  and  gunboats  barring  his  passage.  He 
was  forced  to  give  his  command  rest ; and  this  delay  allowed 
General  Shackelford,  of  General  Hobson’s  cavalry,  to  reach  his 
rear  on  the  19th.  On  this  day,  after  a running  fight,  Morgan’s 
command  reached  a ford  above  Pomeroy,  Ohio.  In  an  attempt 
to  cross  here  three  companies  and  200  sick  and  wounded  were 
captured.  The  main  command  hastened  14  miles  up  the 
river  and  330  of  them  after  a fearful  struggle  in  face  of  a 
musketry  fire,  crossed  safely  into  West  Virginia  at  Belleville. 
Morgan,  however,  and  a considerable  part  of  the  command 
failed  to  cross,  though  he  tried  to  do  so  at  Blennerhassett’s 
Ford;  but  the  Federal  gunboats  prevented  him.  ATear  Hew 
Lisbon,  at  a point  almost  opposite  the  place  where  the  Pennsyl- 
vania line  is  crossed  by  the  river,  Morgan  and  a few  trusty 
followers  were  captured  on  July  26 ; and  he  and  28  of  his 
officers  were  taken  to  Columbus,  Ohio,  where  they  were  con- 


188 


HISTOET  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


fined  in  the  penitentiary  in  convicts’  cells.  Here  they  were 
subjected  to  the  harsh  treatment  accorded  the  worst  criminals; 
but  on  the  night  of  November  27  Greneral  Morgan  and  six  of 
his  officers  escaped  and  made  their  way  into  Kentucky,  and 
after  a most  wonderful  series  of  adventures  arrived  in  a short 
time  within  the  Confederate  lines  in  Tennessee. 

Eesults : Morgan  had  delayed  Burnside’s  and  Eosecrans’ 
movements,  thus  giving  Longstreet  time  to  reach  Bragg’s  army 
before  the  great  battle  of  Chickamauga ; and,  if  Lee  had  been 
successful  in  Pennsylvania,  the  result  would  have  been  more 
far-reaching.  Although  all  but  350  of  Morgan’s  command 
were  captured,  killed  or  dispersed,  he  had  taken  6000  prison- 
ers, destroyed  $10,000,000  worth  of  railroad  property.  Federal 
equipments,  supplies,  bridges,  and  steamboats.  There  were 
killed  by  his  men  300  to  500  of  the  Federal  soldiers. 

Rosecrans’  Maneuver. — Eosecrans,  by  a series  of  move- 
ments between  June  23  and  July  6 had  forced  Bragg  to  evacu- 
ate his  strong  position  along  the  Duck  Eiver  and  to  fall  back 
toward  Chattanooga.  In  these  maneuvers  Bragg  had  lost 
2000  men  and  considerable  supplies.  His  army,  however, 
was  only  40,000  strong,  while  Eosecrans’  numbered  60,000. 
It  was  then  that  Bragg,  to  gain  time,  sent  Morgan  on  his 
raid. 

On  September  2,  1863,  Burnside,  after  a rapid  march 
from  Lexington,  Ky.,  with  20,000  men  approached  Knoxville, 
Tenn.,  which  he  occupied  on  the  3d.  This  place  had  been 
occupied  by  General  Buckner  and  General  Jones  with  15,000 
men ; but  they  had  retreated  before  Burnside’s  arrival.  Buck- 
ner with  part  of  the  forces,  moved  to  London,  30  miles 
southwest  of  Knoxville.  General  Jones  retreated  to  Abing- 
don, Va.,  while  General  Frazier  was  left  with  2000  men 
and  14  guns  at  Cumberland  Gap.  At  midday  September  9 he 
was  compelled  to  surrender  to  a large  body  of  Burnside’s 
men. 

Eosecrans  by  certain  movements  caused  Bragg  to  think  that 


CHICKAMAUGA  AAT)  CHATTAITOOGA  189 


lie  "was  endeavoring  to  join  Burnside’s  army  from  the  north- 
east; hut  instead  of  this,  the  Federal  general  made  a move 
southv’ard,  arriving  on  August  20  at  the  Tennessee  River. 
Here  he  and  his  whole  army  crossed  safely  on  September  8 
and  occupied  the  mountain  ranges  southwest  of  Chattanooga. 
This  movement  forced  Bragg  to  evacuate  the  town  on  the 
8th  and  take  a position  from  Lee  and  Gordon’s  Mill  to 
Lafayette,  thirty  miles  south,  and  east  of  Lookout  Mountain. 
On  the  9th  Crittenden  discovered  that  Bragg  had  retreated 
from  Chattanooga,  which  place  his  corps  immediately  occu- 
pied. 

So  far  Eosecrans’  plans  had  worked  admirably.  He  did 
not  realize  that  all  of  his  well-matured  efforts  were  to  become 
naught  and  that  his  army  was  soon  to  meet  a crushing  defeat. 
If  his  opponents  had  been  commanded  by  the  genius  of  a 
Hapoleon,  a Lee,  or  a Jackson,  it  would  have  been  a veritable 
Waterloo  for  the  fine  army  he  had  in  charge. 

Eosecrans,  learning  of  Bragg’s  retreat,  interpreted  it  to 
mean  that  it  was  the  Confederates’  intention  to  move  either 
to  Rome  or  upon  Atlanta.  He  sent  McCook  with  the  right 
wing  to  Summerville ; Thomas,  with  the  center  to  Lafayette ; 
while  Crittenden  was  to  leave  one  brigade  at  Chatta- 
nooga and  move  the  rest  of  his  corps  as  far  as  Ringgold  on 
the  Chattanooga  and  Atlanta  Railroad  by  September  12. 
The  Federal  army  had,  by  September  12,  extended  itself  over 
a very  rugged  country,  a distance  of  57  miles  from  one 
flank  to  the  other.  Bragg  had  tried  to  take  advantage  of 
this  situation  but  General  Hindman  and  Gen.  D.  H.  Hill 
failed  to  give  proper  support  for  the  proposed  move 
against  the  Federal  center  at  McLemore’s  Cove.  This  delay 
and  lack  of  unity  on  the  part  of  the  Confederates  allowed 
Eosecrans  to  see  his  mistake  and  concentrate  his  army 
on  the  west  bank  of  the  Chickamauga  River,  a movement 
that  was  completed  by  September  18.  This  stream  rises  at 
the  junction  of  Missionary  Ridge  and  Pigeon  Mountain,  flows 


190 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


by  Crayfish  Spring  northward,  is  joined  by  the  East  fork 
near  Chickamanga,  and  a little  above  Chattanooga  flows  into 
the  Tennessee  Eiver.  Chickamanga  is  an  Indian  name  and 
is  supposed  to  signify  “ The  Eiver  of  Death,”  which  name 
it  could  appropriately  retain  after  September  18,  1863. 

Both  armies  were  now  receiving  reinforcements. 
Granger’s  fine  division,  which  was  to  play  such  an  important 
part  in  the  coming  battle,  had  joined  Eosecrans.  Bragg  was 
reinforced  by  Buckner’s  remnant  from  Knoxville  and  part  of 
Johnston’s  army  from  Mississippi ; while  Longstreet  was  hur- 
rying to  him  from  the  East,  arriving  on  the  afternoon  of  the 
19th  with  5000  infantry  but  no  artillery.  Bragg  sent 
AVheeler  to  the  Federals’  right  to  disguise  a movement  against 
the  Federals’  left.  On  the  18th  Bragg  moved  his  army  across 
the  Chickamanga  Eiver  and  almost  cut  off  Crittenden’s  left 
Aving  from  Chattanooga;  but  on  the  night  of  September  18 
Thomas’  center  was  brought  up  to  join  Crittenden’s  left,  and 
McCook  occupied  the  position  formerly  held  by  Thomas. 
Kegley’s  command  was  on  Crittenden’s  right,  while  Granger 
Avas  held  in  reserA^e.  Bragg’s  right  Aving  was  commanded  by 
Polk  and  his  left  by  Hood,  the  cavalry  being  under  Forrest. 

The  Battle  of  Chickamauga,  Sept.  19-20,  1863. — The 

morning  of  September  19  was  bright,  beautiful  and  crisp. 
The  battle  began  at  9 a.  m.,  by  Thomas  with  Brannan’s  di- 
vision attacking  Forrest’s  cavalry  and  Walker’s  two  infantry 
brigades.  The  Federals  were  repulsed  and  two  batteries  cap- 
tured. Baird  now  reinforced  Brannan,  who  alternately  re- 
pulsed the  Confederates  and  fell  back  before  them.  Cheat- 
ham’s Tennesseans  now  came  into  action,  while  Eeynolds’ 
division  of  Thomas’  corps.  Palmer  of  Crittenden’s,  and  John- 
son of  McCook’s,  came  to  the  Federals’  assistance.  The 
battle  surged  back  and  forth,  each  side  being  in  turn  success- 
ful, while  the  wormded  and  the  dead  covered  the  battle-field. 

There  was  a lull  in  the  fearful  storm  of  battle  at  4 p.  m., — 
a lull  that  continued  for  an  hour.  The  Federals  were  re- 


CLEBURNE’S  OWN  MAP  OF  THE  BATTLE  OF  CHICKAMANGA 

Facing  Page  190 


CHICKAMAUGA  AXD  CHATTAI^OOGA  191 


forming  their  lines,  when  at  about  5 p.  m.,  the  divisions  of 
Liddle  and  Gist  attacked  with  great  impetuosity  Eeynolds’ 
divisions,  while  a little  later  Cleburne’s  division  fell  upon 
Johnson.  The  Federals  were  driven  back  in  great  confusion 
for  nearly  half  a mile  after  a destructive  fire  at  close  range 
had  caused  great  loss  in  Cleburne’s  command.  The  fighting 
on  the  Federal  right  had  been  for  the  greater  part  artillery 
skirmishes,  hut  about  3 p.  m.  General  Hood  made  a severe 
attack  upon  Davis  of  McCook’s  corps,  capturing  a battery, 
which  was  recaptured  by  Bradley’s  brigade  of  Sheridan’s 
division.  When  darkness  caused  a cessation  in  the  battle 
neither  army  had  gained  any  marked  advantage. 

Sunday,  September  20, 1863.  Second  Day’s  Battle. — 

During  the  night  Longstreet  with  his  whole  command  ar- 
rived and  took  his  position  on  the  Confederates’  left  wing, 
with  Longstreet  in  command  instead  of  Hood.  The  left  con- 
sisted of  Buckner’s  corps, — commanded  by  Stewart,  Preston, 
and  Johnston, — Hindman’s  division  of  Polk’s  corps.  Hood’s 
division,  and  McLaws’  division.  The  right  wing,  commanded 
by  General  Polk,  consisted  of  Hill’s  two  divisions  from  right 
to  left  commanded  by  Breckinridge,  Cleburne,  and  Cheatham ; 
while  Walker’s  was  held  in  reserve.  At  the  midnight  confer- 
ence Bragg  had  given  orders  to  Polk  to  attack  the  Federal  left 
at  daybreak. 

General  Rosecrans  at  the  night  council  of  his  generals  had 
ordered  Hegley’s  division,  which  had  been  on  the  extreme 
right,  to  move  during  the  night  to  Thomas’  support  on  the  left. 
Palmer’s  division,  of  Crittenden’s  corps,  and  Johnson’s,  of 
McCook’s  corps,  had  also  reinforced  Thomas.  This  left  only 
the  two  divisions  under  Crittenden  in  the  center,  and  two 
imder  McCook  on  the  right.  Such  was  the  disposition  of 
both  armies  in  the  early  morning  of  September  20. 

It  was  Sunday  morning, — a day  set  apart  by  God  for  peace 
and  rest  to  the  human  race.  Yet  how  misused  was  that  sacred 
day  during  these  awful  years  of  civil  strife.  Many  of  the 


192 


HISTOKY  OF  THE,  CIVIL  WAR 


bloodiest  battles  occurred  on  this  holy  day.  A heavy  mist 
hovered  over  the  valley  where  the  two  armies  lay.  There  was 
a stillness  in  the  atmosphere  as  if  presaging  the  terrible 
tragedy  to  be  enacted  that  day  by  the  “ River  of  Death.” 

At  daybreak  Bragg  was  astride  his  horse,  expecting  very 
soon  to  hear  the  guns’  heavy  thunder  on  the  right.  But  hour 
after  hour  passed,  and  no  sound  of  cannons  reached  his  ear. 
“ What  unforeseen  events  have  occurred  that  may  wreck  all 
my  well  matured  plans,  why  do  not  my  brave  men  make  this 
charge  before  the  Federals  are  prepared  for  the  dreadful  con- 
flict ? ” was  the  question  he  asked.  The  answer  is  still  one  of 
the  unsolved  riddles  of  the  gi’eat  war;  perhaps  more  than 
man’s  hand  and  brains  were  directing  the  course  of  the  nation. 

A stafP  officer  of  Bragg-’s,  who  found  General  Polk  and  his 
officers  seated  at  breakfast,  was  told  by  Polk : ‘‘  I have  ordered 
Hill  to  open  the  action.”  The  General  also  expressed  his 
anxiety  concerning  the  attack  because  Hill  was  not  within 
striking  distance  at  the  time,  and  a division  of  Confederates 
were  formed  in  front  of  Polk’s  line,  exposing  them  to  a Are 
from  their  comrades.  There  is  no  doubt  but  that  the  delay 
greatly  aided  Eosecrans  by  giving  him  time  to  prepare  breast- 
works. 

Between  9 and  10  a.  m.  Breckinridge’s  men  and  Cleburne’s, 
with  the  greatest  determination,  assailed  the  Federals  be- 
hind their  breastworks,  in  the  face  of  a terrible  fire  of  artil- 
lery and  musketry.  Thomas  was  so  badly  punished  by  noon 
that  he  had  to  have  aid  or  his  troops  would  have  been  utterly 
routed.  Cheatham  and  Walker  were  now  coming  into  action. 
Eosecrans  further  weakened  his  right  wing  by  ordering  Van 
Cleve  of  Crittenden’s  corps  and  Sheridan  of  McCook’s  to 
reinforce  Thomas.  Wood’s  division  of  Crittenden’s  corps, 
was  ordered  to  move  toward  Reynolds’  right,  while  Bran- 
nan’s  division  was  slightly  in  the  rear  of  Reynolds’  right. 
General  Wood,  misunderstanding  the  order,  moved  to  Bran- 
nan’s  rear  in  order  to  reach  the  place  described.  This  left 


CHICKAMAUGA  AND  CHATTAN'OOGA  193 


an  opening  for  Longstreet,  who  now  sent  Hood’s  division 
into  the  gap,  cutting  the  Federal  army  into  two  parts.  Mc- 
Cook’s right  wing  was  utterly  routed  and  driven  in  great 
panic  toward  Chattanooga  through  McFarland  Gap. 

The  Federals  were  now  being  attacked  in  flank  and  rear 
hy  Longstreet,  Stewart,  Preston  and  Buckner.  Crittenden, 
Davis,  Sheridan,  and  even  Eosecrans  were  driven  along  in 
the  retreating,  struggling  mass.  At  Eossville  Eosecrans  sent 
General  Garfield  back  to  Thomas,  ordering  him  to  assume  full 
command  on  the  battle-field,  while  he  hastened  to  Chatta- 
nooga to  prepare  a place  of  safety  for  his  army. 

It  was  late  in  the  afternoon  before  Thomas  heard  of  the 
extreme  disaster  to  the  Federal  right  wing.  He  now  with- 
drew from  his  breastworks  and  concentrated  his  army  in  the 
form  of  a crescent  on  a spur  of  Missionary  Eidge.  Wood’s 
division  came  up  just  in  time  to  join  Brannan  on  the  left. 
About  3 :00  p.  m.  Longstreet’s  troops  had  almost  flanked 
the  right  of  Thomas’  command  by  rising  an  opening  through 
the  hills  when,  at  a most  opportune  time  for  the  salvation  of 
the  Federal  army,  Gen.  Gordon  Granger  with  General  Stead- 
man’s division,  which  had  been  held  in  reserve,  came  to  the 
rescue  and  repulsed  the  Confederates  by  means  of  a well- 
placed  battery.  When  Garfield  arrived  to  deliver  Eosecrans' 
communication  he  found  that  Thomas  had  moved  about  25,- 
000  men,  with  a splendid  battery  of  artillery  to  Horse  Shoe 
Eidge.  The  stubborn  fight  here  and  the  great  loss  of  life 
among  the  Confederates  prolonged  the  battle  until  sunset  and 
saved  the  Federal  army  from  complete  annihilation.  Thomas 
well  deserved  the  title  of  the  Eock  of  Chickamauga.” 

Longstreet  had  saved  the  day  for  the  Confederates  by  his 
skillful  generalship  and  by  the  dash  and  courage  of  his  vet- 
erans, but  Polk  had  well  followed  it  up  and  deserves  credit  for 
the  timely  combination  that  he  formed  with  Longstreet, 
actually  driving  from  the  field  all  the  Federals,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  Thomas,  who  as  soon  as  night  came  retreated  rap- 


194 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


idly  toward  Eossville,  leaving  his  dead  and  wounded  on  the 
field.  Eight  prevented  the  Confederates’  immediate  pursuit. 

Eesults : The  Confederates  had  56,846  men  engaged  in 
the  battle,  and  lost  in  killed  2312,  wounded  14,674,  and  miss- 
ing 1468  ; which  made  a total  of  18,454  or  about  one-third  of 
the  army.  They  had  lost  very  few  prisoners  and  scarcely  any 
military  supplies. 

The  Federals  had  58,223  men  actively  engaged.  They 
were  badly  defeated  and  lost  51  guns,  40  stands  of  regimental 
colors,  15,000  small  arms,  and  large  quantities  of  military  ac- 
coutrements. The  Federals  lost  in  killed  1660,  wounded 
10,000,  missing  and  prisoners  about  5000;  or  a total  of 
16,660. 

Chickamauga  was  a decided  Confederate  victory,  but  one 
that  did  not  net  the  victors  very  much  material  profit. 

By  the  morning  of  September  21  Rosecrans  had  gathered 
his  much  discomfited  army  back  into  Chattanooga  and  during 
the  day  continued  to  fortify  and  intrench  so  strongly  that 
Bragg  did  not  consider  it  wise  to  venture  an  attack  with  his 
much  depleted  army,  consisting  now  of  scarcely  35,000  ef- 
fective troops,  against  an  army  numerically  larger  by  several 
thousand  men  and  protected  by  strong  fortifications. 

General  Bragg  was  greatly  disappointed  at  the  results  and 
felt  that  some  of  his  officers  were  partly  responsible  for  the 
loss  of  a great  opportunity  to  win  a decisive  battle.  Polk  was 
deprived  of  his  command  and  sent  to  command  the  Army  of 
Alabama  and  Mississippi,  which  position  he  assumed  in 
December. 

Longstreet  now  suggested  to  Bragg  that  they  cross 
the  Tennessee  River  above  Chattanooga,  cutting  Rosecrans’ 
connection  with  Knoxville,  forcing  the  Federals  to  evacu- 
ate Chattanooga,  and  intercepting  the  supplies  from  their 
rear.  Bragg  would  not  consider  this  proposition  seriously  as 
there  was  lack  of  transportation,  their  communication  with 
the  south  would  be  left  open  to  the  Federals  and  they  would 


CHICKAMAUGA  AND  CHATTANOOGA  195 


have  to  abandon  all  the  wounded  and  their  captured  trophies. 
Longstreet  was  a courageous  and  capable  lieutenant,  but  his 
temper  was  high  and  combative.  The  differences  that 
arose  between  him  and  Bragg  were  soon  to  be  the  cause  of  a 
serious  blunder  on  the  part  of  the  Confederates. 

Bragg’s  Siege  of  Chattanooga. — On  September  23 
Bragg  ordered  Polk’s  coi’ps  to  occupy  Missionary  Ridge  and 
Longstreet’s  to  command  on  the  left  that  part  of  Lookout 
Mountain  next  to  the  Tennessee  River.  Around  the  base  of 
this  face  of  the  mountain  the  Nashville  and  Chattanooga  Rail- 
road ran  to  Bridgeport,  over  which  road  the  Pederals  received 
their  supplies  from  Jasper  through  the  Tennessee  and 
Sequatchie  Yalley  and  over  Walden’s  Ridge  to  Chattanooga, — ■ 
a circiiitous  and  dangerous  route.  The  supply  trains  were 
almost  at  the  mercy  of  the  Confederate  cavalry.  It  was  only 
a short  time  before  Rosecrans’  army  began  to  feel  the  pangs 
of  starvation  for  the  soldiers  were  practically  on  half  ra- 
tions. 

On  September  24  Hooker,  with  20,000  men,  was  sent  from 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  on  October  1 arrived  at  Bridge- 
port, thirty  miles  west  of  Chattanooga.  Longstreet,  however, 
was  between  him  and  Chattanooga. 

Grant  in  Command. — General  Grant  on  October  10  was 
placed  in  complete  command  of  the  Military  Division  of 
Mississippi,  composed  of  the  Armies  of  the  Ohio,  Cumberland, 
and  Tennessee.  At  his  request  Thomas  was  given  command 
of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  and  Sherman  of  the  Army  of 
the  Tennessee.  On  October  19  Rosecrans  left  for  Cincinnati, 
and  on  October  20  Thomas  assumed  command,  on  the  same 
day  he  received  a telegram  from  Grant  to  hold  Chattanooga  at 
all  hazards. 

October  2,  while  at  Memphis,  General  Sherman  received 
orders  from  Halleck  to  move  over  the  Memphis  and  Charleston 
Railroad  to  Athens,  Ala.,  and  to  repair  the  railroad  as  he  went. 
The  command  of  Sherman  reached  Corinth  on  October  11. 


196 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


At  Tiiscumbia,  October  27,  there  Avas  a seA^ere  skiimisb  Avith 
Gen.  S.  D.  Lee’s  caA^alry.  An  order  Av^as  noAV^  received  from 
Grant  telling  Sherman  to  move  to  Bridgeport  by  the  trans- 
ports provided  by  Porter,  AApicb  be  did,  reaching  there  No- 
vember 14. 

In  the  meantime  (October  23)  General  Grant  reached  Chat- 
tanooga. He  decided  to  make  an  effort  to  reopen  Avith 
Hooker’s  troops  the  Avater  and  railroad  connections  betAveen 
Chattanooga  and  Bridgeport.  He  found  that  Eaccoon  Moun- 
tain,— AAdiich  Longstreet  did  not  hold, — and  not  Lookout 
Mountain,  commanded  the  situation. 

During  the  early  morning  hours  of  October  27  General 
Hooker  Avith  about  15,000  of  his  men,  crossed  the  Tennessee 
Eiver  at  Bridgeport  and  marched  in  the  defiles  betAveen  Look- 
out Mountain  and  Eaccoon  Mountain  to  BroAAm’s  Ferry,  at  a 
point  on  the  Tennessee  Eiver  three  miles  beloAv  Avhere  Look- 
out Mountain  borders  on  the  stream.  He  reached  the  place 
on  October  28.  On  the  night  of  October  26  1200  men  on 
pontoons  floated  doAAm  to  BroAvn’s  Ferry  and  landed  on  the 
south  bank  of  the  river,  forming  a junction  Avith  3000  men 
under  W.  F.  Smith,  Avho  had  crossed  the  neck  of  land  from 
Chattanooga  to  Brown’s  Ferry. 

On  the  night  of  October  28  Longstreet  attacked  Hooker’s 
flank  Avith  a force  of  only  six  regiments,  and  was  repulsed 
by  the  large  number  of  the  Federals,  who  had  now  reestab- 
lished their  communication  AAuth  Bridgeport. 

The  Confederates’  Blunder  in  the  Knoxville  Cam- 
paigTl. — General  Bragg  had  foreseen  that  Burnside  would 
make  an  effort  to  join  Grant  at  Chattanooga  and  upon  the 
adAuce  of  the  Eichmond  authorities  he  sent  Longstreet  (No- 
A'ember  4),  Avith  11,000  men,  to  intercept  the  Federals. 
Bragg  planned  to  have  his  men  back  before  Grant  was  ready 
for  battle.  The  expedition  Avas-  looked  upon  Avith  favor  by 
President  Davis,  but  it  Aveakened  the  Confederate  cause  very 
markedly  and  allowed  Shennan  to  join  Grant  on  November 


CHICKAMAUGA  AA^D  CHATTAA^OOGA  19^ 


14,  forming  a powerful  force  tliat  was  to  be  effectively  used 
against  Bi’agg’s  diminishing  aiuny. 

Longstreet  now  moved  to  Tyues’  Station  and  transported 
his  army  on  ears  to  Sweetwater  Station,  fifteen  miles  south- 
west of  London,  Burnside  had  carefully  withdrawn  all  of  his 
forces  to  Knoxville  and  had  fortified  the  town.  Longstreet 
soon  found  that  the  place  conld  not  he  carried  by  assault  and 
on  November  19  began  a siege.  Two  of  Buckner’s  divisions 
had  reinforced  him.  While  investing  the  to’^vn  news  came  of 
Bragg’s  defeat;  whereupon  Longstreet  saw  the  necessity  of 
pushing  the  siege  by  assault. 

He  commanded  the  assault  to  be  made  against  Fort  Sanders 
in  the  early  morning  of  Kovember  29.  The  Federals  had 
been  forewarned  and  were  prepared.  McLaws’  three  brigades 
made  a brave  attack,  but  becaiise  of  the  difficulty  of  the  ap- 
proaches were  repulsed  by  a most  destructive  fire  from  the 
Federals.  They  fell  back  after  losing  800  men  in  the  short 
space  of  thirty  minutes.  This  attack  was  north  of  the  river 
and  west  of  the  to'^vn. 

Longstreet  remained  in  the  neighborhood  of  Knoxville  until 
Decemher  4 in  order  to  draw  Sherman  from  Chattanooga, 
This  he  did ; and  Sherman  advanced  toward  Knoxville.  By 
the  evening  of  December  5 he  was  within  12  miles  of  the 
city.  Longstreet  now  retreated,  followed  hy  the  combined 
forces  of  the  Federals.  At  Beam  Station  (December  13) 
Shackelford’s  cavalry  had  a severe  battle  with  part  of  Long- 
street’s  command,  each  side  lost  about  three  hundred  men. 
The  Confederates  now  proceeded  to  go  into  winter  quarters 
at  Rogersville,  where  the  army  suffered  many  hardships  dur- 
ing the  winter  because  of  the  cold  and  want  of  clothes  and 
food.  Many  were  incited  to  desert  by  circulars  sent  among 
them  from  Federal  sources,  and  altogether  they  were  rendered 
ineffectual  during  the  whole  winter.  After  the  breaking  of 
winter  they  joined  General  Lee  in  Virginia,  near  Gordonsville. 
Movements  at  Chattanooga. — Grant’s  maneuvers  and 


198 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


movements  were  skillful  and  successful  up  to  the  arrival  of 
Sherman  from  Bridgeport.  While  Longstreet’s  forces  were 
moving  against  Knoxville  Sherman,  Grant,  and  Thomas  had 
come  to  an  agreement  that  Sherman’s  army  should  march, 
unknown  to  the  Confederates,  around  Chattanooga  and  to  the 
north  end  of  Missionary  Eidge,  in  order  to  flank  Bragg’s  army 
from  the  mouth  of  the  South  Chickamauga  to  Chattanooga. 
This  would  place  the  Federals  between  the  armies  of  Long- 
street  and  Bragg.  Grant  had  also  sent  Burnside  a message 
to  allow  himself  to  be  besieged  in  order  to  delay  Longstreet 
near  Knoxville.  By  the  evening  of  Kovember  23  Sherman, 
who  had  been  delayed  on  account  of  lack  of  proper  transporta- 
tion, had  reached  his  position  on  the  extreme  left  of  the 
Federal  line,  north  of  Chattanooga. 

On  the  morning  of  the  23  d,  which  was  a bright  and  beauti- 
ful day.  Wood’s  heavy  division  of  Granger’s  corps,  aided  by 
those  of  Sheridan  and  Palmer,  made  a charge  on  Orchard 
Knob, — a steep,  rugged  hill  about  half-way  from  the  river 
to  the  Confederate  main  lines  on  the  ridge.  Some  200  Con- 
federates were  made  prisoners. 

Battle  of  Lookout  Mountain. — All  that  night  Sherman 
had  been  rapidly  concentrating  his  forces  on  the  north  end  of 
Missionary  Eidge  and  by  the  night  of  Kovember  24  had  well 
intrenched  himself. 

On  the  night  of  Kovember  23^  Grant  ordered  Hooker  to 
make  with  Osterhaus’  division  a grand  effort  to  drive  the  Con- 
federates from  Lookout  Mountain.  In  the  early  morning  of 
Kovember  24  Osterhaus’  division  of  Sherman’s  army,  which 
had  not  yet  crossed  Brown’s  Ferry,  made  a strong  demonstra- 
tion against  the  Confederates  at  the  northern  end  of  Lookout 
Mountain.  A heavy  mist  enveloped  the  mountain  and  under 
cover  of  the  mist,  at  8 a.  m..  General  Geary,  with  his  own  di- 
vision and  a brigade  of  Cruft’s  division,  crossed  Lookout 
Creek  at  Wauhatchie  and  moved  farther  up  the  stream,  com- 
ing upon  the  rear  of  the  Confederates  commanded  by  Pettus. 


CHICKAMAUGA  AND  CHATTANOOGA  199 


These  made  a stubborn  resistance,  and  about  5 p.  m.  Carlin’s 
brigade,  of  Palmer’s  corps,  reinforced  Geary.  Darkness  now 
aided  the  escape  of  the  Confederates,  who  bad  thus  far  been 
greatly  outnumbered,  and  bad  lost  1000  men.  They  retreated 
to  Eossville. 

The  Confederates  were  forced  to  evacuate  Lookout  Moun- 
tain, and  on  the  morning  of  November  25  the  Federal 
army  held  an  unbroken  line  from  the  north  end  of  Look- 
out Mountain,  through  Chattanooga  and  by  Orchard  Knob  to 
the  northern  end  of  Missionary  Kidge.  The  Confederates 
were  concentrated  on  Missionary  Ridge  from  Eossville  to 
Tunnel  Hill,  where  a railroad  crossed  the  Ridge,  400  to  600 
feet  above  the  valley  in  many  places. 

Bragg’s  army  was  commanded  on  the  right  by  Hardee,  with 
the  Cleburne,  Walker,  Cheatham,  and  Stevenson  divisions; 
the  left  was  under  Breckinridge  and  consisted  of  bis  old  di- 
vision,— under  Lewis, — Stewart’s,  and  part  of  Buckner’s  and 
Hindman’s.  This  army  bad  40,000  men  and  100  cannons. 

The  Federal  army  was  commanded,  from  left  to  right,  by 
Sherman,  Thomas,  Howard,  and  Hooker,  and  was  composed 
of  80,000  men,  with  nearly  200  cannons. 

Battle  of  Missionary  Ridge. — November  25,  1863,  was 
a beautiful  day.  The  sun  bad  risen  with  scarcely  a cloud  to 
obscure  its  light.  Hooker  bad  received  orders  to  make  a 
movement  against  the  Confederates’  left  wing,  while  Sherman 
was  to  make  his  attack  on  the  right,  and  Thomas’  veteran 
troops,  under  the  immediate  eye  of  Grant,  were  later  to  attack 
the  center. 

Soon  after  sunrise  Hooker  began  to  advance  bis  army 
toward  Eossville,  but  was  detained  four  hours  at  Chattanooga 
Creek  on  account  of  destroyed  bridges.  Hooker  soon  occupied 
Eossville  Gap  with  Osterhaus  on  the  east,  Geary,  west 
of  the  Ridge,  and  Cruft,  on  the  Ridge,  attacked  the  Con- 
federates under  Stewart,  who  made  a stubborn  resistance  but 
were  driven  northward  along  the  Ridge.  At  sunset  the 


200 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


left  wing  of  the  Confederate  army  was  in  full  retreat. 

In  the  early  forenoon  of  the  25th  Sherman  made  his  attack 
on  the  Confederates’  right.  Cleburne’s  division  was  the  first 
to  receive  the  assault.  Sherman  found  that  the  ridge  was  not 
continuous  but  rather  a series  of  hills  and  between  the  last 
hill  and  the  Confederates’  position  was  a deep  gorge  and  a 
railroad  tunnel.  General  Corse,  leading  the  advance  regi- 
ments of  the  Federals,  was  exposed  to  a severe  rain  of  fire. 
The  Federals  found  it  impossible  to  carry  the  Confederates’ 
position.  Sherman’s  army  had  gained  no  particular  advan- 
tage, and  the  fighting  for  four  hours  had  been  veiy  sangui- 
nary, especially  among  the  Federals.  Shennan  had  been 
anxiously  expecting  an  assault  upon  the  Confederate  center  by 
the  army  of  Thomas,  who  had  looked  for  better  results  from 
Sherman’s  army. 

A Grand  Charge. — About  4 p.  m.,  when  Grant  became 
aware  that  Bragg’s  right  wing  was  well  engaged  and  that 
Hooker  was  coming  into  action  on  the  Confederate  left,  he 
ordered  the  magnificent  charge  that  decided  the  battle  of 
the  day  and  caused  the  Confederates  to  leave  their  strong 
position  in  confusion  and  retreat  toward  Einggold.  At  the 
critical  moment  when  Bragg’s  center  had  been  weakened 
Grant  ordered  eleven  brigades  of  Thomas’  army, — under 
Wood,  Baird,  Johnson,  and  Sheridan, — consisting  of  25,000 
men,  to  make  a grand  charge  up  Missionary  Ridge  against 
the  Confederate  center.  It  was  a most  valorous  assault  for  the 
men  had  to  face  the  destructive  fire  of  35  cannons  and 
of  thousands  of  muskets;  but  without  a check,  they  pushed 
on.  The  rugged  nature  of  the  ascent  prevented  them  from 
keeping  together,  but  the  unity  of  action  and  purpose  was 
never  in  doubt.  The  destruction  of  life  was  fearful,  hut  un- 
dismayed the  Federals  pushed  forward,  protecting  themselves 
by  the  trees,  ravines,  and  ledges.  The  brigades  of  Hazen  and 
Willi cks  were  the  first  to  reach  the  summit,  making  a breach 
in  the  Confederate  line.  Sheridan’s  brigades  rapidly  came 


CHICKAMAUGA  AXD  CHATTAA^OOGA  201 


to  his  assistance,  and  there  was  a severe  hand  to  hand  conflict. 
The  wedge  had  been  driven  into  the  Confederate  line  near 
the  headquarters  of  Bragg,  where  he  had  personally  tried  to 
rally  his  men.  The  Confederates  at  this  point  were  completely 
routed,  losing  some  35  gams  and  1000  prisoners. 

It  was  now  near  sunset.  Darkness  greatly  aided  the  Con- 
federates in  their  retreat.  General  Hardee,  by  his  cool  judg- 
ment and  rapid  action,  with  Cheatham’s  division,  thrown 
across  the  Ridge,  pi’evented  a great  disaster  to  his  command, 
and  was  instrumental  in  protecting  the  army  in  its  retreat 
across  the  Chickamaiiga  River. 

Results:  The  battle  of  Missionary  Ridge  was  a splendid 
victory  for  Grant,  but  as  in  most  of  his  victories  there  was  a 
great  sacrifice  of  men.  The  Federals  had  engaged  80,000  men 
and  had  killed  and  wounded  6000.  The  Confederates  lost,  be- 
sides the  1000  prisoners,  3000  killed  and  wounded. 

Although  Grant  had  numerically  twice  as  great  an  army  as 
Bragg,  this  brilliant  success  cannot  he  accounted  for  wholly 
by  the  difference  in  numbers.  The  Confederate  commander 
had  been  outgeneraled,  and  had  made  two  severe  blunders. 
He  had  sent  Longstreet  to  Knoxville  at  the  most  inopportune 
time,  and  in  the  battle  of  the  25th  he  had  played  into  Grant’s 
hands  by  sacrificing  his  center  to  the  demands  of  his  wings, 
thus  inviting  at  the  critical  moment,  the  attack  by  Thomas. 

Hardee  and  Cleburne  covered  the  rear  until  a junction  was 
made  with  Breckinridge  at  Ringgold,  which  on  Kovember  26 
was  occupied  by  the  Federals.  A severe  action  took  place 
near  Ringgold  between  Hooker’s  advance  and  Cleburne. 
The  Federals  lost  432  men,  while  the  Confederates  lost  130 
killed  and  woimded.  On  Kovember  28  Bragg  had  succeeded 
in  establishing  his  army  at  Dalton,  Ga.  Grant  now  ordered 
Sherman  on  the  28th  to  go  to  Knoxville  to  Burnside’s  relief. 
After  bringing  40,000  men  to  the  relief  of  Burnside,  Sher- 
man, by  that  General’s  advice,  left  Granger’s  division  behind, 
and  with  his  own  corps  returned  to  Grant. 


202 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


After  gathering  his  army  at  Dalton  Bragg  felt  so  keenly  the 
severe  criticisms  that  Southerners  made  on  his  defeat  that  he 
offered  his  resignation.  This  was  accepted  by  the  President 
of  the  Confederacy.  On  December  2Y  Gen.  Joseph  E. 
Johnston  was  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  exhausted 
Confederate  army,  and  started  upon  the  task  of  preparing 
the  army  during  the  winter  for  the  great  conflict  of  the 
coming  year,  1864:. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII 


rRBEGHLAE  WAEFAKB  UiT  AKKANSAS,  MISSOTJEI,  AND  KANSAS 

IN  1863 

After  the  battle  of  Prairie  Grove  the  Federal  army  went 
into  winter  quarters  in  the  southern  ranges  of  the  Ozark 
Mountains  of  Missouri.  Quiet  prevailed  in  Arkansas  and 
Missouri,  with  the  exception  of  some  outrages  perpetrated  by 
disconnected  bands  of  guerrillas,  who  had  neither  the  Southern 
nor  the  Federal  cause  at  heart;  hut  who  were  bent  only  upon 
rapine,  booty,  and  acts  of  lawlessness.  The  story  of  the 
suffering  of  these  good  people  west  of  the  Mississippi  River 
near  the  frontier  for  their  loyalty  to  either  side  is  a sad  page 
in  history. 

Marmaduke  in  Missouri. — About  the  1st  of  January, 
1863,  General  Marmaduke,  with  about  3000  Confederates, 
crossed  the  boundary  of  Arkansas  and  Missouri  and  in  the 
early  afternoon  of  January  8 attacked  Springfield,  Mo. 
Generals  Holland  and  Brown  had  over  a thousand  men  well 
located,  and  though  the  majority  of  them  were  inexperienced 
in  battle,  they  held  their  own  for  five  or  six  hours.  With  a 
loss  of  some  200  men,—  killed,  wounded,  and  missing, — Mar- 
maduke retreated  toward  Himtsville.  During  the  engage- 
ment at  Springfield  the  Federals  lost  165  men. 

On  January  11  close  to  Huntsville  Marmaduke  had  a brief 
but  severe  engagement  with  Colonel  Merrill’s  command.  In 
this  engagement  the  Confederates  lost  between  two  and  three 
hundred  men,  while  the  Federals  lost  scarcely  one  hundred. 
Part  of  the  Confederate  command  moved  toward  Van  Buren, 
near  which  place  about  300  men  were  captured.  Marmaduke 
led  the  greater  part  of  his  force  to  Batesville,  Ark.,  on  the 

203 


204 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


White  Eiver.  Here,  on  February  4,  he  had  a severe  engage- 
ment with  the  Federal  cavalry  nnder  Col.  G.  E.  Waring,  in 
which  the  Confederates  were  defeated  and  Marmadnke  moved 
to  headquarters  at  Little  Eock. 

On  April  18  Gen.  W.  L.  Cabell,  who  had  marched  from  the 
Boston  Mountains,  attacked  a body  of  Federals  under  Colonel 
Harrison  at  Fayetteville.  After  Harrison  lost  75  men,  and 
Cabell  about  the  same  number  and  several  horses,  he  retreated 
toward  Ozark. 

Movement  Against  Cape  Girardeau. — General  Manna- 
duke,  by  the  advice  and  with  the  consent  of  his  superior.  Gen- 
eral Price,  about  April  22  reached  Fredericktown  on  his  way 
to  capture  Cape  Girardeau  on  the  Mississippi  Eiver  in  south- 
eastern Missouri.  This  place  was  a depot  of  supplies  for 
Grant’s  army.  On  the  23d  Gen.  John  McJSTiel,  Federal 
commander,  with  2000  soldiers,  reached  the  town  and  greatly 
strengthened  it,  and  when,  on  the  morning  of  April  25,  Mar- 
maduke  appeared  before  the  town  and  demanded  its  surrender 
McHiel  refused.  A conflict  then  began  which  lasted  from  10 
a.  m.  until  about  3 p.  m. ; but  the  Confederates  retreated  upon 
the  arrival  of  reinforcements  to  the  Federals  by  the  river. 
The  Confederates,  without  accomplishing  anything  of  im- 
portance, lost  300  men. 

On  May  20  an  attack  was  made  on  Fort  Blunt  by  General 
Coffey,  but  Col.  W.  A.  Philips,  with  a mixed  command  of 
over  1000  men,  repulsed  the  Confederates. 

About  the  middle  of  July  General  Cooper  was  attacked  by 
General  Blunt,  of  the  Federal  army,  with  3000  cavalry  and 
infantry,  supported  by  12  cannons.  The  attack  was  sudden 
and  unexpected,  occurring  at  10  a.  m.,  July  17,  about  25 
miles  south  of  Fort  Blunt.  The  Confederates  were  routed, 
losing  several  hundred  men.  With  General  Cabell’s  com- 
mand they  now  moved  south  of  the  Canadian  Eiver.  Later 
General  Blunt  moved  down-  and  occupied  Fort  Smith,  Ark., 
on  the  Arkansas  Eiver. 


ABKA-NSAS,  MISSOUEI,  AED  EAESAS  205 

On  August  20,  1863,  occurred  one  of  those  fearful  trag- 
edies that  help  to  blacken  warfare  and  go  to  make  it  all  the 
more  terrible  and  despicable.  Quantrell,  a notorious  guer- 
rilla chieftain,  with  several  hundred  men,  entered  Lawrence, 
Kan.,  and  killed  many  non-combatant  citizens ; they  looted  the 
town  and  almost  destroyed  it  by  fire.  They  were  pursued, 
but  not  as  severely  punished  as  they  deser^^ed. 

Many  writers  have  unjustly  stigmatized  certain  Confeder- 
ate leaders  as  guerrillas,  Morgan,  Forrest,  Mosby,  Marma- 
duke.  Price,  and  others,  whereas  they  were  simply  carry- 
ing on  warfare  as  best  they  could,  with  the  materials  at 
hand.  Passions  of  men  in  civil  strife  are  always  at  the 
highest  pitch.  If  miirder,  unspeakable  crimes,  and  wanton 
destruction  of  the  necessities  of  life  for  non-combatants  are 
criteria  of  inhuman  warfare,  then  they  were  not  guilty  of  in- 
hiunanity. 

In  justice  to  the  united  nation  and  to  the  descendants  of 
the  men  who  fought  under  these  commanders  they  are  not 
to  be  condemned  unless  the  followers  of  Grierson,  Mitchell, 
Blunt,  Kilpatrick,  Sheiunan,  and  others  of  the  Federal  army 
be  weighed  in  the  same  balance. 


CHAPTER  XXIX 


TEANSMISSISSIPPI  AFTER  FATE  OF  VICKSBURG-  AND  PORT 

HUDSON 

In  September,  after  the  fall  of  Port  Hudson,  General 
Grant  had  visited  Banks.  The  two  generals  were  of  the 
opinion  that  a joint  movement  against  Mobile  would  be  a 
wise  course  to  follow ; but  on  further  consideration  it  was 
decided  that  Banks  should  make  an  effort  to  reconquer  Texas. 

Failure  at  Sabine  Pass. — The  first  attempt  to  capture 
Sabine  City  was  made  at  Sabine  Pass.  General  Franklin, 
with  4000  troops  and  four  gunboats,  had  reached  the  Pass 
in  the  forenoon  of  September  8.  The  gunboats  crossed  the 
bar  and  appeared  before  the  fort  of  the  town  in  the  after- 
noon; but  within  half  an  hour  were  so  badly  damaged  that 
they  were  forced  to  surrender.  Franklin  made  a rapid  re- 
treat without  landing  his  troops,  after  losing  two  of  the  gun- 
boats, 250  men,  and  15  heavy  guns. 

On  the  night  of  September  30,  General  Green,  one  of 
Gen.  Dick  Taylor’s  lieutenants,  fell  upon  an  outpost  of  Gen- 
eral Herron’s  near  Morgansia  and  captured  the  400  men 
under  Colonel  Lake. 

The  Battle  at  Grand  Coteau. — Banks  before  starting  on 
his  proposed  Texas  expedition,  as  a diversion  sent  Major- 
General  Franklin  with  4 divisions  of  his  army  to  Opelousas, 
where  they  remained  eight  days.  On  October  27  the  first 
division  moved  back  to  Xew  Iberia.  On  Xovember  1 two 
divisions  of  the  Thirteenth  Corps,  under  Generals  Burbridge 
and  Washburne,  halted  at  Grand  Coteau.  Washburne  as- 
sumed command  of  the  rear  as  the  other  divisions  moved 
backward.  Late  in  the  afternoon  of  the  3d  of  Xovember, 

206 


TEANSMISSISSIPPI  AFTEE  VICKSBUEG  207 


the  Confederates  attacked,  with  great  zeal,  the  advance  divi- 
sion nnder  Bnrbridge,  consisting  of  lYOO  men,  who  after  a 
desperate  resistance  were  driven  in  rapid  retreat  and  only- 
saved  from  complete  destruction  or  capture  by  the  hurried 
reinforcement  of  McGinnis’s  division  of  3000  men. 

The  Federals  lost  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing  716  men, 
while  the  Confederates  lost  150  men. 

In  iSTovember  General  Banks,  with  6000  men  left  Hew 
Orleans,  being  afterward  reinforced  by  Washbume  with  the 
Thirteenth  Corps,  and  made  himself  practically  master  of  the 
seaboard  of  Texas  from  Galveston  to  the  Eio  Grande  Eiver, 
— -with  the  exception  of  Galveston  Island  and  some  fortifica- 
tion on  the  Brazos  Eiver.  General  Dana  was  left  in  charge 
of  the  troops  on  the  Eio  Grande  while  Banks  returned  to 
Hew  Orleans.  This  closed  his  operations  west  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi until  the  year  1861. 

The  Capture  of  Little  Rock,  Ark. — After  the  surrender 
of  Vicksburg  Gen.  Frederick  Steel  was  sent  to  Helena,  Ark., 
with  orders  to  organize  a command  to  capture  Little  Eock, 
the  Confederates’  headquarters  in  Arkansas.  By  August  10 
he  had  gathered  6000  men  and  22  guns;  and  being  joined 
by  General  Davidson’s  mounted  division  from  General 
Hurlbut’s  corps,  he  had  a force  of  12,000  men  and  40  guns. 
He  now  started  for  Little  Eock,  to  which  city  the  Confed- 
erates had  retreated.  After  much  trouble  in  crossing  rivers 
and  bayous  General  Steele,  on  September  10,  reached  the 
defenses  of  the  place,  which  surrendered  after  some  severe 
fighting.  Almost  everything  that  could  be  of  value  had  been 
destroyed  by  the  Confederates,  but  the  Federals  captured 
1000  soldiers. 

The  close  of  the  year  1863  saw  the  end  of  the  aggressive 
military  power  of  the  Confederates  in  Arkansas  and  Missouri. 
Although  they  fought  stubbornly  at  times  to  recover  their 
lost  ground,  they  were  unable  to  obtain  any  permanent  re- 
sults. 


CHAPTER  XXX 


THE  LAST  MILITARY  OPERATIONS  OF  1863  IN  VIRGINIA 

General  Lee  had,  as  we  have  seen,  soon  after  the  battle  of 
Gettysburg  brought  his  army  to  rest  upon  the  Rapidan.  Gen- 
eral Longstreet  and  General  Hood  had  been  sent  in  September 
to  assist  General  Bragg  at  Chickamauga.  At  the  end  of  Sep- 
tember Meade  had  sent  the  corps  of  Howard  and  Slocum, 
commanded  by  Hooker,  to  aid  Rosecrans  at  Chattanooga. 
Soon  after  Lee  had  heard  that  Meade’s  army  was  weakened 
by  this  loss  a movement  was  begun  (October  9)  to  outflank 
Meade.  Lee  hoped  to  get  in  Meade’s  rear  and  seize  the 
Orange  and  Alexandria  Railroad.  On  October  11  the  larger 
part  of  the  Confederate  general’s  army  was  at  Culpeper 
Court  House,  but  Meade  had  withdrawn  across  the  Rapphan- 
nock.  Lee,  on  October  12,  forced  a passage  across  the  Rap- 
pahannock at  White  Sulphur  Springs.  The  Eederal  cavalry 
under  General  Gregg,  which  guarded  Meade’s  right,  had  a 
severe  struggle  to  save  itself.  Lee  and  Meade  were  both  striv- 
ing to  gain  possession  of  the  Orange  and  Alexandria  Railroad. 
Lee’s  army  now  moved  rapidly  for  Bristoe  Station,  and  on 
the  morning  of  October  13  it  had  reached  Warrenton.  War- 
ren’s corps, — the  rear  of  Meade’s  army, — bivouacked  at  Au- 
burn, five  miles  away. 

On  October  14  Lee’s  whole  army  was  reunited  at  Warren- 
ton  and  at  once  pushed  forward  toward  Bristoe  Station.  A 
sharp  skirmish  occurred  at  Broad  Run  during  the  afternoon 
of  the  14th  between  General  Warren  and  the  corps  of  Hill  and 
Heth.  Hill  was  repulsed,  losing  400  men  killed  and 
Wounded,  and  five  guns. 


208 


OPEEATIOi^S  OF  1863  IN  VIEGINIA  209 


The  Federals  proceeded  during  the  night  of  October  14  to 
Centerville,  where  on  the  15th,  Meade  concentrated  his  army. 
Lee  did  not  deem  it  wise  to  push  his  army  beyond  Bull  Enn, 
so  on  October  18  and  19  he  began  his  movements  to  his  old 
line  beyond  Culpeper  Court  House. 

Eesults:  Lee  had  lost  1000  men,  while  the  Federals  had 
lost  2436  men,  including  prisoners,  and  41  commissioned  offi- 
cers. The  railroad  was  destroyed  from  Manassas  to  Eappa- 
hannock  Junction,  which  delayed  Meade’s  advance. 

Mine  Run. — Thousands  of  Lee’s  men  were,  according  to 
his  own  reports,  barefooted,  and  practically  all  were  without 
overcoats,  blankets,  or  warm  clothes.  The  winter  was  upon 
them,  and  Lee  was  anxious  to  get  his  army  provided  for. 
This  he  was  able  to  accomplish,  only  by  the  undying  devo- 
tion of  the  mothers,  wives,  daughters,  sisters  and  sweethearts 
of  the  Southern  soldiers.  The  labor  of  love  and  self  sacrifice 
of  these  women  have  never  been  sui’passed  for  any  cause.  But 
Meade  now  proposed  to  make  an  effort  to  get  in  closer  touch 
with  General  Lee’s  army  and  on  November  7 began  his  ad- 
vance toward  Kelley’s  Ford  and  the  Eappahannock  Bridge. 
General  Eodes’  division  and  General  Johnson’s  had  fallen 
back,  but  the  brigades  of  Hayes  and  Hopes,  of  Early’s  divi- 
sion, had  passed  to  the  north  side  of  the  river  to  watch  the  Fed- 
erals move  and  to  hold  them  in  check.  The  night  was  dark  and 
very  windy,  preventing  the  Confederates  on  the  south  side  of 
the  river  from  hearing  the  sound  of  firing.  Under  cover 
of  the  darkness  Eussell’s  command,  of  Sedgwick’s  corps,  made 
a brilliant  assault  upon  the  Confederates’  position,  and  cap- 
tured about  two  thousand  of  the  Southern  soldiers  before 
General  Early  could  bring  them  any  assistance. 

Lee  had  by  November  9 crossed  the  Eapidan  and  fortified 
his  position  along  Mine  Eun  Creek,  15  miles  above  the  con- 
fluence of  the  Eapidan  and  the  Eappahannock. 

From  November  26  to  December  1 General  Meade  made 
an  eSort  to  turn  Lee’s  right  wing.  In  his  maneuvers  he  ad- 


210 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


vanced  to  the  right  bank  of  Mine  Eun;  but  Lee  discovered 
the  movement  on  the  29  th,  and  placed  his  army  in  such  a 
strong  position  that  Meade  considered  it  best  to  retire ; which 
he  did  on  the  night  of  December  1. 

Meade  now  took  up  his  winter  quarters  at  Culpeper  while 
Lee  remained  near  Orange.  This  closed  the  campaign  of  the 
year  1863  in  Virginia. 

The  condition  of  the  Confederacy  looked  more  gloomy  than 
at  any  former  time.  Though  the  Confederates  had  won  some 
brilliant  successes,  their  disastrous  defeat  at  Gettysburg,  the 
loss  at  Vicksburg,  and  their  defeat  at  Missionary  Eidge  had 
greatly  weakened  the  cause.  The  long  cold  winter  was  made 
good  use  of  by  the  Confederacy  in  preparing  for  another  year 
of  awful  warfare.  The  preparation  of  the  Federal  Govern- 
ment was  even  on  a greater  scale  because  of  its  unlimited 
resources. 


CHAPTER  XXXI 


THE  YEAH  1864 

IMPOETAHT  EVENTS  IN  THE  MISSISSIPPI  VALLEY  PEIOE  TO' 

sheeman’s  geoegia  campaign 

After  General  Bragg  had  retreated  to  Dalton  Gen.  Joseph 
E.  Johnston  on  December  27,  1863,  was  placed  in  full  com- 
mand of  the  army.  During  the  winter  this  master  of  mili- 
tary strategy  made  efforts  to  equip  and  prepare  his  army  for 
the  great  test  of  strength  that  was  sure  to  come  in  the  sum- 
mer. 

Sherman’s  Campaign  Against  Meridian. — In  the 

early  part  of  January,  1864,  General  Sherman  returned  to 
Memphis,  Tenn.,  where  General  Hurlbut  was  located.  His 
purpose  was  to  have  about  10,000  men  of  Hurlhut’s  join 
McPherson’s  forces  at  Vicksburg,  and  at  the  same  time  to 
have  Gen.  Sory  Smith,  with  10,000  cavalry,  make  a move- 
ment toward  Meridian,  where  they  would  unite  and  move 
on  to  Selma,  Ala.  General  Smith  was  to  leave  Memphis 
on  or  before  February  1,  going  by  Pontotoc,  Okolona,  and,  if 
possible,  reach  Meridian  February  15. 

With  these  plans  in  view.  General  Sherman  left  Vicksburg, 
February  3,  vdth  an  effective  army  of  25,000  men,  light  bag- 
gage, and  twenty  days’  rations.  The  weather  was  bright,  cool, 
and  altogether  favorable  for  the  undertaking. 

To  oppose  these  forces  of  35,000  men.  General  Polk,  who 
was  chief  in  command  at  Meridian,  had  from  10,000  to  15,000 
infantry,  while  Gen.  Stephen  D.  Lee,  in  command  of  the  cav- 
alry in  the  south  Mississippi  district,  and  Gen.  X.  B.  Forrest, 
in  the  northern  part  of  Mississippi  and  West  Tennessee,  had 
together  not  over  6000  cavalry. 

211 


212 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE, 


Until  February  5 General  Sherman  had  met  with  no  op- 
position and  after  some  skirmishing  he  reached  Jackson,  from 
Avhich  place  the  Confederates  had  retreated.  On  the  9th  the 
army  reached  Morton,  where  McPherson  remained  to  de- 
stroy the  railroad.  Ilurlbut  pushed  on  in  advance  toward 
Meridian,  which  Sherman  reached  at  3:30  p.  m.,  February 
14.  Polk  had  evacuated  the  place  at  10  :30  a.  m.,  and  with 
all  the  rolling  stock,  had  moved  his  army  to  Demopolis  and 
sent  the  cars  to  Selma  and  Mobile. 

Sherman  remained  at  Meridian  until  February  20,  but 
was  forced  to  evacuate  it  on  account  of  the  failure  of  General 
Smith’s  expedition.  Sherman  had  defeated  no  organized 
body  of  the  Confederates,  but  had  made  a great  destruction 
of  property,  burning  10,000  bales  of  cotton,  destroying  150 
miles  of  railroad,  aboiit  70  bridges,  two  or  three  million 
bushels  of  corn,  hundreds  of  buildings,  and  had  almost  ex- 
hausted the  resources  of  the  country  over  which  he  led  his 
army  — thus  subjecting  thousands  of  non-comhatants  to  priva- 
tion, stanmtion  and  the  fearful  tortui’es  of  war. 

Before  Sherman  left  Meridian  almost  everything  of  any 
value  had  been  destroyed.  Depots,  hotels,  hospitals,  ware- 
houses, offices,  in  fact,  nearly  every  building  in  the  place 
was  burned.  Among  other  towns  that  received  the  same 
treatment  were  Jackson,  Marion,  Lauderdale  Springs,  Quit- 
man,  Canton,  Decatur,  Bolton,  Enterprise,  Lake  Station,  and 
Hillsboro.  Such  barbarism  cannot  be  apologized  for,  how- 
ever much  the  exigencies  of  the  circumstances  may  seem  to 
have  demanded  it.  It  let  loose  and  encouraged  the  vilest  pas- 
sions, for  which  there  was  no  excuse.  General  Sherman  did 
not  add  any  military  laurels  to  his  name  through  the  results 
of  this  expedition  ; but  rather  won  the  title  of  plunderer.  On 
Febimary  28  Sherman  left  his  army  and  went  to  Hew  Orleans 
to  confer  with  Banks  and  Porter  concerning  the  Eed  River 
expedition.  It  was  not  until  his  return  to  Vicksburg  that 
he  became  aware  of  Smith’s  failure. 


EYEISTTS  m THE  MISSISSIPPI  VALLEY  213 


Gen.  Sory  Smith’s  Failure. — On  February  11  General 
Smith,  with  General  Grierson,  second  in  command, — had 
left  Colliersville,  2-1  miles  east  of  Memphis  with  over 
7000  cavalrymen,  a strong  artillery  force,  and  a brigade 
of  infantry.  By  the  night  of  the  11th  Smith  had  crossed 
the  Tallahatchie,  passed  Yew  Albany  at  noon,  and  encamped 
several  miles  south  of  the  town.  He  passed  through  Pontotoc 
on  the  17th  and  reached  Okolona  on  the  18th.  On  the  20th, 
when  ten  miles  north  of  West  Point,  Smith’s  advance  was 
attacked  by  part  of  Gen.  Y.  B.  Forrest’s  command  and  the 
whole  of  Jeffrey’s  command.  The  fighting  continued  until  the 
21st,  when  Forrest  barred  their  further  advance.  On  the 
22d  this  intrepid  Confederate  general  had  gathered  about 
2500  men  and  attacked  the  fiank  and  rear  of  the  Federal 
army  at  Okolona.  The  Federal  army  was  completely  demoral- 
ized, most  of  their  artillery  was  left  on  the  field  with  their 
dead  and  wounded.  Forrest  harassed  and  incessantly  en- 
gaged the  retreating  army  until  the  afternoon  of  February  23 
when  it  crossed  the  Tallahatchie  Eiver.  The  Federal  army 
reached  Colliersville  February  27,  in  a most  pitiful  and  dis- 
organized state.  They  had  been  defeated  by  an  army  not 
nearly  so  well  equipped  as  their  own  and  of  only  one-third  the 
size. 

Results : Smith  had  lost  388  killed,  wounded,  and  miss- 
ing; six  pieces  of  artillery,  and  had  completely  failed  in  his 
purpose  to  support  Sherman.  His  defeat  reflected  great 
credit  on  Forrest  and  gave  the  Confederates  an  opportunity 
to  seriously  interfere  with  the  Federal  lines  of  communication 
in  western  Tennessee. 

Forrest  had  lost  in  the  three  days  27  killed,  97  wounded, 
and  20  missing. 

General  Forrest’s  Raid  in  Western  Tennessee  and 
Kentucky. — On  March  20  General  Forrest  reached  Jackson, 
Tenn.,  on  his  third  raid  through  west  Tennessee.  Here 
he  rested  and  recruited  his  command.  On  March  25  Colonel 


214 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


Duckworth  attacked  Union  City,  where  Colonel  Hawkins  with 
450  men  of  the  Eleventh  Tennessee  Cavalry  was  stationed. 
After  a stubborn  resistance  the  Federals  surrendered  the 
garrison  with  300  horses,  500  small  arms,  considerable  sup- 
plies, and  $60,000  in  money. 

On  March  26  General  Forrest,  with  part  of  his  forces 
under  Col.  A.  P.  Thompson  and  Capt.  H.  A.  Tyler  moved 
on  Paducah,  Ivy.,  where  a fort  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
town, — aborxt  five  blocks  from  the  present  foot  of  Broadway 
and  the  levee, — was  garrisoned  with  a force  of  700  men  com- 
manded by  Col.  S.  G.  Hicks.  General  Forrest  proposed  to 
hold  the  Federals  in  the  fort  until  he  could  obtain  all  the 
horses  and  supplies  in  the  town.  He  had  demanded  the  sur- 
render of  Colonel  Hicks,  which  was  refused.  Colonel  Thomp- 
son, of  his  own  accord  and  without  consulting  Forrest,  attacked 
the  fort  with  an  insufficient  body  of  cavalrymen.  He  was 
torn  to  pieces  very  close  to  the  fort  by  a bursting  shell  and  his 
forces  were  repulsed,  after  a loss  of  24  killed  and  wounded. 
The  Federals  lost  60  killed  and  wounded.  On  April  14  Gen- 
eral Buford  appeared  in  Paducah  and  carried  away  150 
horses  and  considerable  supplies. 

Fort  Pillow. — After  leaving  Paducah,  Forrest  moved  to- 
ward Fort  Pillow,  on  the  Mississippi  River  in  western  Ten- 
nessee, about  fifty  miles  above  Memphis.  This  fort  was 
garrisoned  by  550  men,  260  of  whom  were  negroes.  Major 
W.  F.  Bradford  was  in  command  of  the  fort  and  Major  L.  F. 
Booth  was  in  direct  command  of  the  negro  troops.  The 
armament  consisted  of  six  field-guns,  two  six-pounders,  two 
twelve-pounders  and  two  ten-pounders. 

There  has  been  much  discussion  concerning  this  affair. 
The  Federals  claimed  that  it  was  the  most  brutal  and  heinous 
form  of  warfare;  while  the  Confederates  deny  the  whole  al- 
legation. 

The  fort  stood  on  a very  steep  bluff  75  feet  above  the 
river.  North  of  the  fort  was  Cold  Creek, — a ravine 


EVEJ^TS  m THE  MISSISSIPPI  VALLEY  215 


filled  with  bushes  and  trees;  below  the  fort  was  another 
hollow;  in  front  of  the  fort  and  600  yards  from  the  river  was 
a long  ditch  and  about  half  way  toward  the  river  was  a small 
hill  covering  about  two  acres. 

On  April  11,  at  daybreak,  Col,  R.  A.  McCulloch  appeared 
and  drove  in  the  outer  defense.  On  the  12th  the  assault 
began  in  earnest.  Major  Booth  was  killed  at  9 a.  m.  Major 
Bradford  now  ordered  all  to  retire  within  the  fort.  At  this 
time  Captain  Marshall  commanding  the  New  Era^  a gunboat 
on  the  river,  fired,  without  much  effect,  upon  the  Confederates. 
At  11  a.  m.  McCulloch  and  Bell  were  near  Cold  Creek,  300 
yards  from  the  fort,  while  Colonel  Wilson  occupied  redoubts 
only  250  yards  from  the  fort.  The  Eederal  adjutant,  learn- 
ing that  Colonel  McCulloch’s  force  at  11  a.  m.  were  too  near 
the  fort,  tried  to  dislodge  them  by  lowering  the  guns  of  the 
fort.  By  3 p.  m.  Forrest’s  troops  were  within  300  feet  of 
the  fort.  At  3 :30  p.  m.  Forrest  sent  a fiag  of  truce  demand- 
ing unconditional  surrender.  While  the  truce  was  being  con- 
sidered a steamer  filled  with  Federal  troops  was  seen  on  the 
river  rapidly  approaching  the  fort.  Forrest  considered  this 
a violation  of  the  truce  and  sent  Major  Anderson  with  400 
men  toward  the  river  to  resist  the  landing  of  the  Eeder- 
als. 

Bradford  had  sent  this  enigmatical  message:  ‘‘Negotia- 
tion will  not  attain  the  desired  object.”  Forrest  made  it 
definitely  known  that  he  was  present  and  sent  this  message  to 
the  Federal  commander:  “ Go  hack  and  say  to  Major  Booth 
that  I demand  in  plain  English:  Will  he  fight  or  sur- 
render ? ” He  waited  five  minutes  beyond  the  time  and  then 
ordered  the  charge, — a charge  of  a hundred  yards  at  the  end 
of  which  the  Confederates  crossed  a ditch  12  ft.  wide  and  8 ft. 
deep,  and  then  mounted  an  earthen  wall  6 ft.  high  and  6 ft. 
thick  and  flat  on  top.  Without  a halt  they  mounted  the  ram- 
part. The  occupants  of  the  fort  rushed  toward  the  river  to 
escape  on  the  boats,  which,  however,  gave  no  assistance. 


216 


HISTORY  OR  THE.  CIVIL  WAR 


Forrest’s  men  almost  annihilated  the  Federals,  many  of 
whom  Avere  drowned  in  the  great  river. 

Many  of  the  Federal  garrison  were  drunk,  which  was  one 
reason  for  their  fearful  panic.  The  Federal  flag  in  the  center 
of  the  fort  was  cut  down  hy  the  Confederates,  and  then  the 
fight  stopped.  General  Forrest  prepared  a full  account  of 
the  siege  and  capture  of  Fort  Pillow  and  sent  it  to  General 
Washbume  at  Memphis,  hut  it  Avas  never  recognized. 

The  Confederates  lost  14  killed  and  86  Avounded.  The 
Federals  had  221  killed,  130  wounded,  and  200  captured. 

Forrest  at  Brice  Crossroad. — General  Forrest  had  con- 
centrated by  June  a considerable  part  of  his  army  in  northern 
Mississippi  at  luka,  preparatory  to  going  into  middle  Ten- 
nessee, when  he  received  word  that  General  Sturgis  and  Gen. 
A.  J.  Smith, — with  9000  infantry,  3300  cavalry  under 
Grierson;  400  artillerists;  22  guns,  and  250  wagons, — had 
been  sent  against  him.  The  cavalry  of  the  Federals  were 
equally  commanded  by  Col.  George  E.  Waring,  Jr.,  and  Col. 
E.  F.  Winslow  and  reached  Ripley,  Tippah  Co.,  Mississippi, 
June  7. 

General  Forrest  had  Bell’s  brigade  of  2787  men  and  12 
guns  at  Rienzi,  25  miles  from  Brice  Crossroads.  Rucker 
with  700  men,  Avas  17  miles  aAvay,  Johnson  and  Lyon  with 
1300  men  were  six  miles  from  Brice.  At  about  10  a.  m., 
June  10,  the  Federal  cavalry  came  in  contact  with  the  Con- 
federates who  were  well  located  in  the  heavily  timbei’ed 
ground  around  the  Brice  House.  The  day, — to  use  the  rough 
language  of  Forrest, — Avas  “ Hot  as  Hell.”  When  the  bat- 
tle opened  General  Sturgis  was  six  miles  in  the  rear  with 
the  infantry,  which  he  pushed  forward  and  which  came  into 
battle  at  2 p.  m. 

At  4 a.  m.  Bell  left  Rienzi  and  came  into  battle  at  about 
the  same  time.  Morton  and  Rice  Avere  18  miles  aAvay  at 
5 a.  m.,  June  10,  hut  came  to  Forrest’s  aid  a little  after 
10  a.  m.  The  battle  was  desperate,  but  by  the  superb  ban- 


EVENTS  m THE  MISSISSIPPI  VALLEY  217 


dling  of  his  troops  and  a timely  rear  and  flank  attack  of  the 
Federals,  nnder  Capt.  H.  A.  Tyler,  Sturgis  was  driven  in 
gi’eat  confusion  from  the  field.  The  Federals  were  harassed 
and  pursued  by  Forrest  until  they  were  12  miles  north  of 
Salem  on  the  night  of  June  11.  A part  of  the  Confederate 
army  had  travelled  80  miles  in  40  hours  and  fought  a des- 
perate battle. 

Eesults:  Sturgis  lost  250  wagons,  18  guns,  500,000 
rounds  of  ammunition,  5300  small  arms,  and  nearly  3000 
men,  killed,  wounded  and  captured. 

Forrest  had  lost  493  killed,  wounded,  and  missing;  and 
with  an  army  of  4787  men  and  12  guns  had  badly  routed 
an  army  of  over  12,000  with  22  guns. 

Gen.  A.  J.  Smith’s  Tupelo  Expedition. — Early  in  July 
Gen.  A.  J.  Smith,  with  11,000  infantiy,  24  guns,  500  ar- 
tillerists, and  3200  cavalry  under  Grierson,  left  Memphis  to 
again  attack  Forrest  and  destroy  the  Confederate  granary 
along  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  Railroad.  Gen.  Stephen  D.  Lee 
in  all  this  district  did  not  have  over  6000  men  to  meet 
this  force.  On  July  10  Smith  was  5 miles  north  of  Pontotoc, 
and  there  was  severe  skirmishing  on  the  12th  and  13th.  On 
the  morning  of  the  14th,  at  8 a.  m., — an  intensely  hot  day, — 
Brigadier-General  Buford,  Rucker,  Chalmers  and  Mabry, 
with  their  troops  of  Forrest’s  command,  waged  a flerce  battle 
against  Smith’s  command  at  Harrisburg.  The  Confederates 
had  scarcely  4000  troops  to  flght  this  battle  against  an  army 
of  12,000.  Their  losses  were  severe,  but  Smith  was  com- 
pelled to  move  back  to  Memphis. 

The  Confederates  lost  in  these  three  days  1287  men,  while 
the  Federals  lost  1000. 

General  Banks’  Red  River  Expedition  of  1864. — By 

the  beginning  of  March,  1864,  most  of  the  arrangements  were 
made  for  Banks’  expedition  against  Shreveport.  President 
Lincoln,  Halleck,  and  Sherman  were  in  favor  of  the  move, 
though  General  Grant  rather  discouraged  it.  But  it  was  con- 


218 


HISTOEY  OF  THE,  CIVIL  WAE 


sidered  by  the  Washington  Government  to  be  a good  move  to 
destroy  the  source  of  much  of  the  Confederates’  supplies  and 
make  it  a basis  for  operations  against  the  Texas  forces. 

Shreveport  was  a large  town, — wealthy  and  the  center  of 
a rich  country.  It  was  at  the  head  of  navigation  for  large 
boats  on  the  Eed  River,  150  miles  west  of  Vicksburg.  The 
army  of  the  Federals,  under  Banks  and  Franklin,  was  rein- 
forced by  10,000  men  under  A.  J.  Smith,  making  50,000  men. 
General  Steele  who  was  at  Little  Rock  with  15,000  men,  was 
to  form  a junction  with  Banks  near  Shreveport;  while  20 
vessels  under  Porter  were  to  move  up  the  river. 

The  entire  Confederate  force  in  this  region, — from  north- 
ern Arkansas  to  Galveston,  Texas, — consisted  of  30,000  men 
under  the  general  command  of  Gens.  Kirby  Smith  and  Dick 
Taylor,  both  active  and  skilful  generals. 

General  Banks  being  detained  at  Kew  Orleans,  General 
Franklin  was  placed  in  immediate  command,  and  by  March 
13  was  in  the  Teche  Region.  On  March  12  the  whole  fleet 
began  to  move  up  the  Red  River. 

Fort  de  Russy,  70  miles  from  the  Red  River  mouth,  was 
attacked  on  March  Id  and  captured,  with  a loss  to  the  Con- 
federates of  250  men,  10  guns,  and  about  1000  small  arms. 

On  the  16th  Porter  occupied  Alexandria,  at  which  place 
Banks  arrived  with  most  of  his  command  on  the  24:th.  The 
transports  could  not  pass  over  the  rapids  above  Alexandria 
so  returned  to  Vicksburg  with  3000  men,  under  McPherson. 
With  considerable  effort,  half  of  Porter’s  fleet  moved  up- 
stream, passing  the  rapids,  and  arrived  at  Grand  Ecore  April 
4r, — the  same  day  that  Banks  reached  Katchitoches,  at  which 
place  Franklin  had  arrived.  Banks,  with  25,000  available 
men  on  April  6 proceeded  toward  Shreveport  by  the  Mansfleld 
Road.  Porter  on  the  7th  was  joined  by  2500  men  on  trans- 
ports, commanded  by  T.  K.  Smith,  and  with  a large  quantity 
of  supplies  moved  to  Shreveport  as  fast  as  the  narrow  river 
would  permit.  While  they  were  thus,  with  great  fortitude, 


EVENTS  IN  THE  MISSISSIPPI  VALLEY  219 


pushing  their  way  np-stream,  a message  was  received  from 
Banks  telling  of  a severe  defeat  and  ordering  their  return  to 
Grand  Ecore. 

Battle  at  Sabine  Crossroad. — In  the  early  morning  of 
April  8,  in  a pine  forest  about  three  miles  from  Mansfield 
General  Taylor  had  concentrated  about  15,000  men.  At  4 
p.  m.,  Taylor  ordered  his  soldiers  to  make  the  attack  upon  the 
advance  brigades  of  Banks.  The  Eederal  cavalry  was  in  the 
center,  Ransom  was  in  command  on  the  left,  and  Landrum  on 
the  right,  with  Banks  directing  the  whole  army.  The  on- 
slaught of  the  Confederates  broke  the  Federal  lines.  When 
Franklin  came  up  at  5 p.  m.,  a new  line  was  formed,  but  it 
availed  little. 

Soon  the  Federal  army  was  thrown  into  the  worst  confusion. 
For  three  miles  the  rout  continued;  and  it  seemed  as  if  the 
whole  Eederal  advance  would  be  destroyed.  The  Eederals 
had  800  men  killed  and  300  men  captured,  150  baggage- 
wagons  full  of  supplies,  18  pieces  of  artillery  and  several 
thousand  small  arms  had  fallen  into  the  Confederates’  hands. 
Many  officers  were  severely  wounded,  among  whom  were  Gen- 
eral Franklin,  General  Ransom  and  Colonel  Robinson.  At 
Pleasant  Grove  General  Emory’s  fresh  troops  had  formed  in 
line  of  battle,  and  at  nightfall  helped  to  check  the  successful 
pursuit  of  the  Confederates.  During  the  night  Banks  re- 
treated 15  miles  to  Pleasant  Hill,  where  he  gathered  his  army 
by  8 or  9 o’clock  a.  m.,  and  formed  two  lines  of  battle. 

Battle  of  Pleasant  Hill.  April  9, 1864. — Pleasant  Hill 
was  35  miles  from  Natchitoches, — a clearing  surrounded  by 
a fine  forest.  The  Federals  were  situated  at  the  edge  of  the 
timber  and  had  placed  logs  several  feet  high  to  protect  their 
lines.  The  forepart  of  the  day,  which  was  clear  and  beauti- 
ful, passed  without  an  attack.  The  only  indication  of  an  im- 
minent battle  was  a shot  heard  now  and  then  and  the  hurried 
anxiety  of  the  Federal  army  preparing  for  the  assault. 

Close  skirmishing  began  about  4 p.  m.  At  5 p.  m.,  under 


220 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


cover  of  their  artillery  fire,  the  Confederates, — commanded 
by  Walker  first  and  then  hy  Churchill, — made  an  assault 
on  almost  the  whole  length  of  the  Federal  lines.  The  Fed- 
erals,  under  Emory,  Avere  driven  back  through  the  little  vil- 
lage; but  the  Confederates  were  attacked  in  the  flank  and 
partly  in  the  rear  by  General  Smith,  who  had  been  held  in 
reserve.  This  broke  the  Confederates’  line.  They  were  re- 
pulsed and  forced  to  retreat. 

Results:  The  Federals  lost  in  this  battle  300  killed,  800 
wounded,  and  2000  prisoners. 

The  Confederates  lost  700,  including  300  prisoners.  Gen. 
Kirby  Smith  arrived  upon  the  field  at  night  and  ordered 
Churchill’s  forces  to  join  Price  in  Arkansas,  while  Taylor 
was  left  to  follow  Banks. 

General  Banks  now  retreated  to  Grand  Ecore  in  order  to 
join  the  fleet  under  Porter.  The  Federal  commander  had 
accomplished  nothing,  but  had  lost  over  7000  men,  30  wagons, 
1200  horses  and  mules,  and  18  guns. 

Porter’s  Predicament  with  the  Fleet. — On  April  10 
Gen.  Thomas  Green,  with,  the  Texas  cavalry,  started  in  pur- 
suit of  the  Federal  army.  On  April  the  12th,  at  Blair  Land- 
ing the  gunboats  Avere  fired  upon  by  Green’s  forces;  and  in 
the  engagement  this  dashing  soldier  was  killed  by  a shell. 
All  the  way  to  Alexandria  the  Federals  were  annoyed.  The 
riA^er  above  this  place  had  fallen  rapidly,  and  it  was  only  by 
the  construction  of  a huge  tree-dam,  600  feet  long,  that  the 
water  was  raised  high  enough  to  float  the  vessels  over  the 
rapids. 

On  April  the  27th  Banks’  army  had  again  reached  Alex- 
andria after  an  absence  of  21  days.  The  backward  move- 
ment from  Grand  Ecore  had  been  difficult.  Though  Gen. 
A.  J.  Smith  had  protected  the  rear,  there  had  been  a number 
of  severe  skirmishes  and  a loss  of  nearly  a thousand  men. 

Alexandria  was  evacuated  May  14.  On  the  13th  the  entire 
place  had  been  destroyed  by  fire.  The  inhabitants  were  left 


EVEITTS  m THE  MISSISSIPPI  VALLEY  221 


in  a most  pitifnl  condition,  for  tlieir  homes  with  almost  every 
form  of  sustenance  had  been  destroyed.  Banks  and  Porter 
now  both  hastened  toward  ISTew  Orleans. 

This  ended  the  Eed  Eiver  Expedition  of  1864.  It  was  a 
total  failure  that  involved  a great  loss  to  the  Eederals  both  in 
men  and  supplies ; but  it  added  renown  to  the  Confederate 
arms.  Admiral  Porter  had  labored  against  great  disadvan- 
tages, but  imder  the  circumstances  succeeded  as  well  as  could 
have  been  expected. 

General  Steele’s  Failure. — General  Steele, — with  12,- 
000  infantry  and  3000  cavalry  under  General  Carr, — left 
Little  Eock  March  23  to  cooperate  with  Banks  in  his  move- 
ments against  Shreveport.  He  was  to  be  joined  at  Camden 
by  General  Thayer  and  General  Clayton,  with  5000  and  2000 
men  respectively.  On  April  10  he  reached  Prairie  D’  Anne 
after  a very  difficult  march,  and  was  here  joined  by  Thayer. 
On  the  15th  he  reached  Camden;  and  having  heard  of  Banks’ 
disaster,  began  his  retreat. 

General  Price  was  following  him  and  intercepting  his  sup- 
plies. On  April  27,  at  Jenkins  Eerry  he  was  attacked  by 
Gen.  Kirby  Smith  at  early  da'wn ; the  fight  continuing  until 
noon,  with  great  loss  to  both  sides.  Einally  the  Confederates’ 
attacks  were  stayed,  giving  Steele  an  opportunity  to  continue 
his  retreat  across  Saline  Eiver.  On  May  2 Steele  reached 
Little  Eock  with  a half  famished,  disorganized,  and  dispirited 
army. 

The  Federal  general  lost  in  killed  and  wounded  nearly 
1000  men,  while  about  3000  were  captured  and  nearly  all 
their  artillery  and  wagons  were  taken.  Whereas  the  Eederals 
had  made  a serious  failure  in  every  feature  of  the  so-called 
Eed  Eiver  Expedition,  General  Smith  and  General  Taylor 
with  their  poor  resources  had  conducted  against  the  greatest 
odds, — an  army  of  twice  their  number,  an  army  better 
equipped  and  supported  by  a strong  fleet, — - one  of  the  most 
brilliant  and  successful  campaigns  of  the  Civil  War. 


CHAPTER  XXXII 


A IXOHIDA  EXPEDITION 

Among  the  minor  expeditions  in  the  early  part  of  1864 
was  one  of  6000  men  under  General  Seymour  that  was  sent 
by  the  Eederals  from  Hilton  Head  to  occupy  the  main  places 
in  Florida.  They  landed  and  marched  inward  from  Jack- 
sonville, hut  were  attacked  by  General  Finnegan,  with  about 
5000  men  near  Ocean  Pond  in  the  afternoon  of  February  20. 
The  fight  lasted  for  two  hours  when,  at  about  sunset,  the 
Federal  lines  were  broken  and  their  army  completely  routed. 
The  Federals  lost  500  prisoners,  about  300  killed,  5 large 
guns,  half  their  small  arms,  and  were  forced  to  give  up  their 
hopes  of  holding  military  possession  of  the  State. 

The  minor  expeditions  of  the  first  half  of  1864  had  all 
resulted  disastrously  to  the  Federal  cause.  Banks’  failure  in 
Louisiana,  Sherman’s  in  Mississippi,  Sturgis’  and  Smith’s 
in  northern  Mississippi,  and  western  Tennessee,  and  Sey- 
mour’s in  Florida,  had  all  been  of  great  benefit  to  Johnston 
and  Lee ; allowing  them  time  to  equip  their  armies  better  and 
preventing  the  Federal  generals  from  receiving  more  re- 
inforcements. 

But  the  two  great  campaigns  conducted  by  Grant  and  Sher- 
man overshadowed  all  these  minor  operations. 

Grant,  on  March  2,  1864,  had  been  appointed  Lieutenant- 
General  of  all  the  Federal  armies.  Toward  the  last  of  April, 
Banks  had  been  ordered  to  return  all  of  Sherman’s  troops,  to 
retire  with  his  own  troops  to  Hew  Orleans;  and  here,  in  con- 
junction with  the  fieet  of  Farragut,  to  make  ready  to  attack 
Mobile.  Butler  and  Gilmore  were  ordered  to  cooperate 
against  Richmond  on  the  south  side  of  the  J ames.  General 

222 


A FLORIDA  EXPEDITION 


223 


Sigel  was  ordered  to  destroy  the  railroad  from  Lynchburg  to 
Knoxville;  while  General  Sherman  was  to  move  against 
Johnston  at  Dalton,  Ga.  At  the  same  time  Grant  was  to  be- 
gin his  operations  south  of  the  Rappahannock  against  his  great 
antagonist,  Lee. 

This  was  the  gTeat  and  comprehensive  outline  of  a plan,  the 
undertaking  of  which  filled  the  middle  and  latter  half  of  the 
year  1864  with  many  bloody  battles.  Thousands  of  firesides 
all  over  this  great  country  were  yet  to  lose  their  loved  ones 
before  the  terrible  fratricide  should  end.  Exhaustion  com- 
plete had  not  yet  overtaken  the  Confederacy ; there  were  strong 
armies  to  be  overcome,  and  thousands  of  dauntless  hearts  to  be 
convinced  that  a Southern  Confederacy  was  a hopeless  dream. 
The  able  men  of  the  determined,  persistent,  and  powerful  Fed- 
eral Government  and  its  army  were  beginning  to  see  the  light 
of  hope  brightening  their  troubled  and  stony  pathway. 


CHAPTER  XXXIII 


Sherman’s  movement  towabD'  attanta 

Atlanta,  the  first  objective  point  of  Sherman’s  campaign, 
vas  at  this  time  a city  of  about  20,000  inhabitants.  It  was 
a railroad  center  for  four  roads,  where  many  machine-shops, 
rolling-mills,  and  manufactories  of  gvins,  pistols,  and  ammu- 
nition, were  located.  The  city  was  about  six  miles  in  circum- 
ference and  strongly  fortified ; and  was  altogether  one  of  the 
most  important  places  within  the  borders  of  the  Confederacy. 
The  great  army  that  Sherman  was  to  lead  against  Johnston 
contained  98,797  men  and  254  cannons.  This  consisted  of 
the  army  of  the  Cumberland,  commanded  by  Major-General 
Thomas,  with  60,773  infantry  and  3828  cavalry,  divided  into 
the  commands  of  Howard,  Palmer,  and  Hooker ; the  anny  of 
the  Tennessee,  commanded  by  Major-General  McPherson  con- 
taining 24,465  men,  including  the  cavalry, — the  Fifteenth 
Corps  commanded  by  Logan,  the  Sixteenth  by  Dodge  and  the 
Seventeenth  by  Blair,  and  the  army  of  the  Ohio,  containing 
1680  cavalry  and  11,870  infantry,  commanded  by  Schofield. 

The  Confederate  army,  now  reorganized  and  commanded 
by  Gen.  Joseph  E.  Johnston,  lay  in  and  around  Dalton,  some 
15  miles  south  of  Ringgold,  with  the  advance  reaching  almost 
half-way  to  Ringgold.  The  infantry  corps  were  commanded 
by  Generals  Hardee,  Hood,  and  Polk  and  consisted  of  50,000 
men.  The  cavaliy  composed  of  nearly  10,000  men,  was  com- 
manded by  General  Wheeler. 

Sherman  made  his  equipment  as  simple  as  possible,  and  on 
May  6 he  was  ready  to  begin  his  advance.  The  army  of  the 
Cumberland  was  at  Ringgold  on  the  Western  and  Atlantic 

224 


SHEEMAX  MOVES  TOWAED  ATLAXTA  225 


Eailroad.  The  army  of  the  Tennessee,  under  McPherson, 
■was  located  on  the  Chickamauga  at  Gordon  Mills,  8 miles 
west  of  Einggold,  while  Schofield  was  about  10  miles  north- 
east of  Einggold. 

Sherman  Begins  His  Advance. — Because  of  the  nature 
of  the  country  and  the  powerful  fortifications  that  Johnston 
had  prepared,  an  attack  from  the  northwest  was  considered 
unadvisable  by  Sherman.  On  the  6th  of  May  McPherson, 
who  had  been  sent  to  make  a flank  movement  on  Johnston  in 
order  to  force  his  evacuation  of  Dalton,  moved  toward  Eesaca, 
and  on  May  8 had  approached  within  a mile  of  the  town. 
This  place  is  located  on  the  Oostanaula  Eiver  15  miles  south 
of  Dalton  on  the  railroad  and  81  miles  north  of  Atlanta.  It 
was  too  strong  for  McPherson  to  take,  which  caused  him  to 
move  back  to  the  southern  mouth  of  Snake  Creek  Gap. 

On  May  7 Thomas  advanced  his  center  from  Einggold, 
while  Schofield  was  sent  from  Cleveland  to  join  Thomas  on 
the  left.  On  May  8 and  9 Thomas  made  a strong  demonstra- 
tion along  the  imgged  front  of  Eocky  Pace  Eidge  and  Buz- 
zard Boost,  where  the  Federals  lost  nearly  a thousand  men. 

Johnston  maneuvered  along  the  east  side  of  the  Eidge, 
while  Thomas  pushed  southward  and  joined  McPherson  on 
the  13th.  Johnston  had  reached  Eesaca  on  the  12th,  and  he 
again  blocked  Sherman's  way  to  Atlanta. 

Resaca. — By  early  morning  of  the  11th  Johnston  was  pre- 
pared to  receive  the  attack  of  the  Federal  forces,  which  now 
extended  from  the  Oostanaula  Eiver,  two  miles  below  the 
town,  to  the  Tilton  railroad  station,  half-way  to  Dalton.  A 
little  past  noon  Sherman  began  his  attack  on  Johnston’s  center 
and  right,  but  was  repulsed.  Stanley’s  division,  of  Howard’s 
corps,  on  the  Federal  left  was  driven  from  its  position  in 
confusion.  McPherson,  on  the  Federal  right,  had  succeeded 
in  gaining  a position  near  the  river  which  commanded  the 
railroad  trestle  across  the  river. 

The  fight  was  renewed  on  the  15th,  with  great  vigor;  the 


226 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


Federals  succeeding  in  capturing  some  important  works. 
During  the  night  Johnston  crossed  the  river  and  retreated 
toward  Kingston  on  the  railroad,  32  miles  south  of  the  Eesaca. 

The  Federals  had  lost  at  Eesaca  nearly  4000  killed  and 
wounded. 

The  Confederates’  loss  amounted  to  about  2000  killed, 
wounded,  and  captured. 

Johnston  Moves  South  of  the  Etowah. — The  whole  of 
Sherman’s  army  had  crossed  the  Oostanaula  by  the  17th. 
Hear  sunset  of  this  day  a skirmish  occurred  with  Johnston’s 
rear  guard,  at  Adairsville.  By  the  19th  Johnston  had  con- 
verged his  army  about  Cassville,  four  miles  from  Kingston, 
where  he  proposed  to  make  a strong  defense;  but  Hood  and 
Polk  were  not  in  favor  of  it.  General  Johnston,  on  the  night 
of  the  20th,  retreated  across  the  Etowah  and  took  up  a posi- 
tion at  Altoona  Pass, — a very  strong  position.  Johnston 
regretted  that  he  had  not  made  a stand  in  the  rear  of  Cass- 
ville, because  his  retreat  had  practically  left  Eome  defenseless. 
This  town  lay  15  miles  west  of  Kingston,  at  the  junction  of 
the  Oostanaula  and  Etowah  Elvers.  On  the  19th  after  a 
sharp  fight  Gen.  Jefferson  C.  Davis  captured  Eome,  with  its 
valuable  foundries,  supplies,  and  a large  quantity  of  stores. 

Johnston  made  only  a short  stay  at  Altoona,  but  tried  to 
anticipate  Sherman’s  fiank  on  Dallas. 

New  Hope  Church. — On  the  25th  of  May  Hooker’s  ad- 
vance when  about  3 miles  northeast  of  Dallas  near  Pumpkin 
Vine  Creek,  met  part  of  the  corps  of  Hood  and  Hardee, — un- 
der General  Stewart, — and  a sharp,  severe  contest  occurred 
near  the  intersection  of  the  three  roads  to  Ackworth,  Marietta, 
and  Dallas. 

Hooker  lost  600  men,  while  the  Confederates  held  the  road 
between  Dallas  and  Marietta,  and  strongly  fortified  their  posi- 
tion. 

For  the  next  two  days  there  was  constant  skirmishing. 

On  the  27th  Cleburne’s  division  had  made  a heavy  assault 


SHERMAX  MOVES  TOWARD  ATLANTA  227 


at  Pickett’s  Mill  on  part  of  Howard’s  corps.  The  Federals 
withdrew  after  a loss  of  1500  men. 

On  the  28th  Bates’  division,  of  Hardee’s  corps,  was  severely 
repulsed  by  Logan’s  command  of  McPherson’s  army. 

During  these  three  days’  fight  Sherman  had  found  that 
Johnston’s  position  was  too  strong  to  be  carried  by  a general 
assault. 

For  a month  there  had  been  almost  unceasing  fighting  along 
parts  of  the  line.  The  Federals  had  lost  during  this  time 
2000  killed  and  7000  wounded  and  captured.  Johnston  re- 
ported during  May  a loss  of  720  killed,  wounded  and  missing 
4670;  or  a total  loss  of  5390  in  his  infantry.  His  cavalry 
had  lost  about  850  men ; making  a total  of  6240  men. 

Around  Marietta. — During  the  first  week  of  June  Sher- 
man changed  his  tactics  and  occupied  his  time  in  trying  to 
turn  the  right  flank  of  Johnston’s  army  at  Ackworth  and  in 
the  construction  of  bridges  across  the  Etowah. 

Johnston,  on  the  night  of  June  4,  abandoned  the  whole  line 
about  Hew  Hope  Church  and  retired  to  a line  of  defense 
selected  by  his  engineers, — a situation  on  Pine  Mountain, 
two  or  three  miles  north  of  Kenesaw,  and  midway  between 
Lost  Mountain  and  Brush  Mountain. 

The  country  between  Big  Shanty  and  Marietta  is  rugged 
and  mountainous.  Three  forest-covered  peaks  are  promi- 
nent features  of  the  landscape.  Kenesaw  Mountain, — a 
double-peaked  elevation  about  1200  feet  high, — lies  a very 
short  distance  northwest  of  Marietta.  Lost  Mountain  is  situ- 
ated about  four  miles  west  of  Marietta,  while  Pine  Moun- 
tain,— a rugged  round-topped  elevation,  lay  half-way  and 
about  balf  a mile  to  the  north  of  a line  between  the  for- 
mer two  peaks.  The  main  disadvantage  to  Johnston’s  line 
was  its  length,  which  was  eventually  concentrated  on  Kenesaw 
Mountain. 

Death  of  General  Polk. — There  had  been  a continuous 
downpour  of  rain  on  the  4th  of  June  so  that  great  activity 


228 


HISTOET  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


in  maneuvering  was  impossible.  Bj  Tuesday,  June  14, 
the  rain  had  almost  ceased.  Sherman  now  renewed  his 
activities  and  ordered  his  skirmishers  to  move  closer  to  the 
Confederate  line.  While  Johnston,  Hardee,  and  Polk  were 
reconnoitering  on  Pine  Moimtain,  the  batteries  of  Thomas’ 
Fourth  Corps  began  a cannonade.  At  this  time  General  Polk 
was  struck  by  a fragment  of  a shell  and  killed.  He  had  been 
an  ardent  Confederate,  and  his  influence  had  been  a very 
powerful  factor  in  gaining  supporters  for  the  cause.  As  the 
Episcopal  Bishop  of  Louisiana  before  the  war  and  a cousin 
of  President  Polk,  he  was  a very  important  personage  in  the 
councils  of  the  Confederacy. 

On  June  17  General  Hardee  drew  back  his  left  flank  from 
Lost  Mountain,  and  intrenched  himself  behind  Hose  Creek, 
covering  the  railroad  to  the  Chattahoochee  Eiver.  The  rain 
was  still  falling  in  ton’ents,  making  a general  movement  im- 
possible ; but  the  picket  lines  were  always  busy. 

Confederate  Repulse  at  Culp  House. — On  June  22, 
while  General  Hooker’s  corps  was  moving  around  the  Con- 
federates’ left  flank,  the  divisions  of  Williams,  Geary,  and 
Hascall  were  attacked  by  the  Hindman  and  Stevenson  divi- 
sions of  Hood’s  command  at  Culp  House.  After  a temporary 
success  in  the  hollow,  the  Confederates  were  brought  into  the 
open  ground  and  were  seriously  punished  by  the  Federal 
artillery  and  driven  back  with  a total  loss  of  1000  men. 

The  Federals  lost  only  about  350  men,  but  had  been  checked 
in  the  flank  movement  on  the  Sandtown  Road. 

The  evening  after  this  engagement.  General  Hooker  re- 
ported that  he  had  repulsed  three  corps  of  the  Confederate 
army.  Schofleld  resented  the  imputation  that  his  divisions 
had  not  been  bearing  the  burden  of  the  fight.  Sherman,  find- 
ing upon  investigation  that  Hascall,  of  Schofield’s  command, 
had  suffered  severely  in  the  front  of  the  fight,  rebuked  Hooker 
for  his  sensational  and  inaccurate  report.  This  subsequently 
led  to  Hooker’s  withdrawal  from  the  army. 


SHEEMAX  MOVES  TOWAED  ATLANTA  229 


Kenesaw  Mountain. — Jolinston’s  line  Lad  by  June  24 
been  well  concentrated  on  Kenesaw  Mountain.  Cbeatbam 
and  Cleburne’s  divisions  of  Hardee’s  corps  beld  almost  tbe 
apex  of  tbe  mountain. 

Sberman  now  determined  to  try  by  a massed  attack  to  break 
tbrougb  tbe  Confederate  line.  If  successful,  it  would  prove  a 
decisive  event.  Sherman’s  army  bad  been  greatly  embar- 
rassed by  tbe  constant  interimption  of  supplies  along  tbe  line, 
and  be  was  now  anxious  to  hasten  tbe  movement  of  bis  army. 
Eight  o’clock  on  tbe  morning  of  June  27  was  tbe  time  set  for 
tbe  attack.  McPherson’s  troops  were  to  assault  tbe  Confed- 
erate position  south  and  west  of  the  main  crest  of  Kenesaw, 
while  the  Blair  and  Dodge  commands  made  a feint  on  Mc- 
Pherson’s extreme  left.  Logan’s  corps  made  a brave  and 
heroic  charge  up  tbe  mountain  slope.  Tbe  men  in  tbe  ad- 
vance rifle-pits  of  the  Confederate  defense  greatly  annoyed 
them,  but  Anally  retreated  to  the  main  infantry  line  com- 
manded by  Loring  and  consisting  of  WalkePs  and  French’s 
division.  Coming  within  range  of  tbe  infantry  Are  and  be- 
ing fearfully  slaughtered  by  tbe  artillery  fire  from  four 
batteries,  Logan  ordered  bis  lines  to  retire  to  tbe  rifle-pits 
and  fortify  themselves. 

Palmer’s  attack  and  Howard’s,  like  McPherson’s,  were  pre- 
ceded by  a most  terrific  artillery  fire  of  twenty  minutes. 
Their  movement  was  along  tbe  road  from  Marietta  to  Burnt 
Hickory.  Tbe  attacks  of  Davis’  division  of  Palmer’s  corps 
were  repulsed  by  Cheatham’s  division  of  Hardee’s  corps,  while 
Xewton’s  division  of  Howard’s  corps  was  severely  repulsed 
by  Cleburne’s  division  of  Hardee’s  corps. 

Three  points  of  the  Confederate  line  had  been  assailed,  yet 
tbe  Federals  were  driven  back.  Tbe  entire  assault  had  con- 
sumed but  little  more  than  one  hour. 

Tbe  Federals  bad  lost  nearly  3000  men,  killed  and 
wounded,  while  tbe  Confederates  bad  lost  441  men,  killed 
and  wounded. 


230 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


Sherman  Again  Resorts  to  Maneuvering. — After 

Sherman’s  fearful  repulse  at  Kenesaw  Mountain  he  began 
on  July  2 a flanking  movement  on  Johnston’s  left.  On 
June  28,  Johnston  had  begTin  to  fortify  two  lines  north  of 
the  Chattahoochee.  -One  was  close  to  the  river,  the  other 
passed  through  Smyrna  on  the  railroad,  covering  a ridge 
from  northeast  to  southwest.  McPherson  began  his  move- 
ment toward  Turner’s  Ferry  on  the  night  of  July  2.  John- 
ston had  detected  Sherman’s  plan;  and  at  the  same  time 
McPherson  began  to  move  his  rear  guard,  abandoned  the 
works  on  Kenesaw,  and  by  the  morning  of  July  3 Thomas’ 
forces  began  to  occupy  the  abandoned  works,  and  thence 
moved  southward. 

General  Sherman  entered  Marietta  at  8 :30  a.  m.,  just  after 
the  cavalry  of  the  Confederates  had  vacated  it.  Thomas  was 
now  sent  in  vigorous  pursuit,  but  the  astute  and  cautious  Con- 
federate general  was  not  to  be  caught  unawares.  The  splendid 
works  that  had  been  made  on  the  north  side  of  Chattahoochee 
protected  him  from  the  Federal  forces.  While  on  the  night 
of  July  5 the  great  bulk  of  the  Confederate  army  safely 
crossed  the  river,  Johnston  remained  with  the  greater  part  of 
his  army  south  of  the  river  with  Hardee’s  corps  on  the  right 
hank,  until  the  7th  of  July,  when  he  established  his  line  of 
defense  eight  miles  from  Atlanta,  on  the  south  side  of  Peach- 
tree Creek  below  its  mouth. 

Losses  in  June. — The  Federal  army  reported  a loss  in 
June  of  7500  men  killed,  wounded,  and  missing;  of  these 
the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  lost  5500,  the  Army  of  the  Ten- 
nessee 1300,  and  the  Army  of  the  Ohio  700.  The  Confed- 
erate loss  during  the  month  had  been  about  6000,  including 
both  cavalry  and  infantry. 

Sherman  had  so  ordered  the  movements  of  his  troops  that 
the  Confederates  anticipated  that  he  would  endeavor  to  cross 
the  Chattahoochee  at  Turner’s  Ferry,  on  their  left  flank;  but 
instead,  he  caused  his  whole  army  to  cross  the  river  on  pon- 


SHEEMAJT  MOVES  TOWAED  ATLANTA  231 


toons  eight  miles  above  the  railroad  bridge.  Schofield  was 
sent  around  the  right  wing  and  McPherson  even  farther  east, 
and  both  approached  Atlanta  by  way  of  Decatur  from  the  east, 
while  Thomas  advanced  from  the  north. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV 


JOHNSTON  KELIE'VEH  FROM  COMMAND.  GENEKAH  HOOD  AP- 
POINTED IN  HIS.  PLACEI 

On  July  9 General  Hardee  had  been  withdrawn  from  his 
position  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Chattahoochee.  The  move- 
ments of  Sherman  on  the  right  flank  had  caused  Johnston  to 
fall  back  upon  the  outer  fortiflcations  around  Atlanta.  At 
this  time  considerable  dissatisfaction  made  itself  manifest 
in  Atlanta  at  Johnston’s  failure  to  give  battle  closer  to 
the  river.  President  Daids  and  General  Bragg  thought  a 
more  aggTessive  policy  ivas  necessary,  and  the  President, 
yielding  to  his  own  disapproval  of  Johnston’s  Fabian  Policy 
and  to  the  detractors  of  this  splendid  general  on  the  17th  of 
July  turned  over  his  command  to  General  Hood. 

General  Johnston’s  retreat  through  a mountainous  country 
of  over  one  hundred  miles  before  an  army  twice  the  size  of  his 
* own,  witbout  loss  of  any  materials  of  war  and,  as  has  been  said, 
carrying  all  his  pots  and  tea-kettles,  and  in  two  months’  fight- 
ing losing  only  14,500  men,  must  be  admired  by  all  students 
of  history  as  one  of  the  most  remarkable  and  successful  ex- 
amples of  defensive  warfare. 

The  critical  period  of  the  campaign  had  now  arrived. 
Sherman’s  line  of  communication  had  been  very  seriously 
interrupted  in  Tennessee  by  Forrest;  and  it  was  135  miles  to 
his  nearest  base  of  supplies  at  Chattanooga.  At  the  time 
that  the  change  was  made  a much  smaller  army  was  to  assume 
the  aggressive  and  the  offensive.  This  policy  was  going  to 
leave  the  rich  sections  of  southern  Georgia,  southeastern  South 
Carolina  and  Xorth  Carolina  open  to  the  destructive  methods 

232 


ATLANTA,  JULY  17— SEPTEMBER,  1864 

Facing  Page  232 


JOHXSTOJT  EELIEVED  FEOM  COMMAND  233 


of  Sliennan’s  army.  Finally  all  their  hopes  were  to  be  com- 
pletely wi’eeked  in  the  campaign  in  Tennessee.  At  Frank- 
lin many  of  their  bravest  generals  and  thousands  of  their 
hardest  veterans  were  to  die,  and  before  Xashville  they  were 
to  become  a disorganized  body,  pitifully  beaten,  and  fleeing 
in  the  cold  raw  winter  from  their  own  homes  for  safety  over 
the  roads  and  hills  southward. 

The  change  in  the  Confederate  command  is  known  to 
have  been  pleasing  to  the  whole  Federal  army.  The 
patience,  fortitude,  courage,  and  watchfulness  of  Johnston 
were  trying  the  Federal  army  to  the  iitmost.  Eo  weak  point 
in  his  armor  had  yet  been  found.  Impregnable  fortifica- 
tions had  always  confronted  the  Federal  generals,  nothing 
had  yet  been  gained,  except  by  wide  flanking  movements, 
made  possible  by  the  Federals’  greatly  superior  numbers. 

Gen.  J.  B.  Hood,  who  was  to  command  the  Confederate 
army,  had  won  the  reputation, — and  jiistly, — of  being  one  of 
the  most  fearless  and  aggressive  division  commanders  of  the 
Confederacy.  His  heroic  charge  at  Gaines’  Mill  and  his 
splendid  action  at  Antietam  and  Gettysburg  had  won  him  the 
applause  and  admiration  of  the  whole  South.  In  the  battle 
at  Chickamauga  he  had  materially  aided  in  bringing  on  the 
defeat  of  Eosecrans’  army.  He  had  suffered  greatly  in  body, 
having  had  an  arm  shattered  at  Gettysburg,  and  a leg  ampu- 
tated at  Chickamauga  ; yet  his  dauntless  courage  and  stubborn 
will  carried  him  on,  fighting  for  a cause  he  considered  right. 
In  the  Georgia  campaign  he  had  at  times  criticized  Johnston’s 
policy,  but  he  had  never  expected  to  assume  the  position 
under  the  conditions  set  forth  by  the  War  Department. 

Battling  Around  Atlanta. — General  Hood  placed  A.  P. 
Stewart  in  command  of  General  Polk’s  foiuner  corps, — 
and  this  corps  now  confronted  General  Thomas.  General 
Hardee  was  in  the  center,  facing  Schofield ; General  Cheat- 
ham, now  in  command  of  Hood’s  former  corps,  was  situated 
on  the  right,  facing  McPherson,  while  the  Georgia  State 


234: 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


troops,  under  Gen.  G.  W.  Smith,  were  located  still  farther  on 
the  Confederate  right  flank. 

Battle  of  Peachtree  Creek,  July  20,  1864. — On  July 
20,  as  the  Federals  were  moving  nearer  Atlanta,  a gap  was 
made  between  Thomas’  army  and  that  of  Schofleld,  and  Hew- 
ton’s  division  of  Howard’s  corps  moved  to  the  left  to  make  a 
connection  with  Schofield,  when  Hooker’s  corps  were  unex- 
pectedly assailed  by  Bates’  and  Walker’s  divisions,  of 
Hardee’s  corps,  and  Boring’s  divisions  of  Stewart’s  corps. 
At  first  it  appeared  as  if  the  Confederates  would  be  successful. 

After  about  four  hours’  fighting  and  a fearful  slaughter, 
considering  the  number  engaged,  the  Confederates  were  re- 
pulsed. The  Federal  losses  had  been  1900,  one-fifth  of  whom 
had  been  killed.  The  Confederates  had  lost  by  the  most 
correct  estimate  750  killed,  3500  wounded,  and  several  hun- 
dred missing, — about  4800  men. 

On  July  21  the  Confederates  were  attacked  on  the  Federal 
left  by  a division  of  the  Fourteenth  Corps,  under  General 
Leggett,  who,  after  losing  750  men,  captured  and  held  a 
commanding  position  southeast  of  the  city.  McPherson  had 
now  established  a line  three  miles  from  Atlanta,  toward  the 
south  and  east.  n 

Battle  of  Atlanta,  July  19,*  1864. — The  Confederate 
commander  on  the  night  of  the  21st  abandoned  the  line  near 
Peachtree  Creek  and  approached  nearer  the  city.  He  hoped 
that  Sherman  would  make  an  advance  on  the  right,  and 
weaken  his  left  flank.  The  plan  worked  well.  In  the  mean- 
time Hardee’s  corps  had  moved  farther  toward  the  Federals’ 
left.  McPherson  and  Schofield  were  with  Sherman  until 
noon,  at  which  time  Hardee’s  division  commanders.  Bates  and 
Walker,  attacked  with  great  energy  General  Dodge’s  divisions. 
General  McPherson  had  met  Logan  and  Blair  on  his  return 
and  then  hastened  to  Dodge,  from  whose  line  he  now  started 
by  a road  that  had  been  cleared  in  order  to  reach  Blair’s  line. 
He  had  gone  only  a short  distance  when  he  ran  into  the  skir- 


JOHNSTOI^r  RELIEVED  FROM  COMMAND  235 


mish  line  of  Cleburne’s  division.  On  being  ordered  to  bait, 
be  turned  to  gallop  away,  and  was  shot,  falling  from  his  horse 
mortally  wounded. 

McPherson  was  one  of  the  most  capable  of  the  Federal 
corps  commanders ; he  Avas  tireless  in  energy  and,  in  Grant’s 
language,  “ One  of  the  ablest  of  engineers  and  most  skilful 
of  generals.” 

McPherson’s  left  was  driven  from  their  works,  and  16 
pieces  of  artillery  were  captured.  General  Sherman  soon 
after  hearing  of  McPherson’s  death  ordered  General  Logan  to 
assume  command  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee. 

Meanwhile  Cheatham  attacked  the  Federal  center  and  cap- 
tured six  pieces  of  artillery.  The  fighting  was  very  desperate 
and  often  hand  to  hand. 

Hardee  and  Cheatham  were  miles  apart  and  could  not  act 
simultaneously  but  each  had  repulsed  the  Federals  that  faced 
their  commands.  At  4 :30  p.  m.  Sherman  ordered  Schofield 
to  concentrate  his  artillery  and  bring  it  to  bear  on  Cheatham’s 
advancing  forces.  This  enabled  the  Federals’  left  to  regain 
its  position.  With  this  the  tide  of  battle  turned  in  favor  of 
the  Federals;  the  Confederates,  after  repeated  charges, 
were  repulsed,  with  great  loss,  and  forced  to  abandon  the  ad- 
vantage gained,  with  most  of  the  artillery  captured. 

The  Federals  had  lost,  besides  General  McPherson,  in 
killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  3722  ; one  regular  battery,  and 
two  other  guns,  not  retaken. 

The  Confederate  loss  had  been  very  heavy.  Their  killed 
had  been  about  2500,  while  the  wounded  and  prisoners 
amounted  to  8000.  This  was  the  bloodiest  battle  yet  fought 
in  the  Georgia  campaign.  Hood  criticized  Hardee  for  being 
slow,  but  the  facts  do  not  bear  him  out,  for  the  head  of 
Hardee’s  corps  had  to  traverse  a distance  of  fully  15  miles 
over  very  rough  ground. 

Hood  now  moved  back  into  the  inner  works. 

Cavalry  Raids. — The  cavalry  under  Garrard,  which  Sher- 


236 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


man  had  sent  ont  toward  Covington  before  the  battle  of  At- 
lanta, returned  on  the  24th,  after  having  burned  several 
bridges,  2000  hales  of  cotton,  and  the  depots  at  Covington 
and  Conger,  had  taken  200  prisoners  and  had  destroyed  a con- 
siderable part  of  the  Georgia  and  Augnista  Eailroad. 

Sherman  noAv  placed  Stoneman  and  Garrard,  with  5000 
cavalry,  on  the  left  wing  with  directions  to  destroy  the  Atlanta 
& Macon  Eailroad  beyond  McDonoi;gh.  McCook  and  Eous- 
sean,  with  4000  cavalry,  were  ordered  to  form  the  right  wing 
to  Fayetteville  and  to  meet  on  the  night  of  July  28  at  Love- 
joy,  thirty  miles  south  of  Atlanta. 

Stoneman  set  out  on  the  27th,  followed  the  Georgia  Eail- 
road to  Covington,  then  started  d\ie  south  and  east  of  the 
Ocmulgee  Eiver,  and  on  the  30th  came  in  the  vicinity  of 
Macon,  sixty  miles  south  of  Atlanta,  instead  of  going  to  Love- 
joy.  His  purpose  was  to  strike  Andersonville  and  Macon  in 
order  to  release  the  Federal  prisoners;  but  he  learned  that 
they  had  been  sent  to  Charleston.  On  the  evening  of  July 
30  he  abandoned  his  plan  and  started  northward.  On  the 
morning  of  the  31st,  when  about  20  miles  from  Macon,  he  was 
attacked  by  the  Confederates  and  forced  to  surrender  with 
1000  men.  All  the  brigades  hut  the  one  under  Colonel 
Adams  were  scattered  or  captured.  Garrard  had  remained 
inactive  until  the  29  th  at  Flat  Eock  and  then  moved  to  Cov- 
ington, where  he  learned  of  Stoneman’s  movement  southward. 
He  then  returned  to  the  left  flank  of  the  army. 

McCook’s  Expedition. — McCook,  on  the  right,  marched 
down  the  west  bank  of  the  Chattahoochee  Eiver  and  crossed 
at  Campbelltowm,  from  whence  he  marched  to  Lovejoy,  eight 
miles  south  of  Jonesboro.  Failing  to  meet  Stoneman,  he 
destroyed  several  supply  trains,  captured  400  prisoners,  killed 
all  the  mules  he  could  not  use,  and  started  on  his  return  to 
Atlanta.  At  Hewman’s  Station  he  was  attacked  by  the  Con- 
federate infantry,  and  forced  to  leave  all  his  prisoners  and 
booty.  Before  he  could  get  through  he  had  lost  600  men. 


JOHXSTOX  EELIEYED  EEOM  COMMAi^D  237 


After  the  death  of  McPherson  Major-General  Howard,  who 
commanded  the  Eonrth  Corps,  on  the  recommendation  of  Gen- 
eral Sherman  was  assigned  bj  President  Lincoln  to  the  com- 
mand of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee. 

General  Hooker  as  senior  in  command  naturally  looked  for 
the  appointment  to  fall  to  him.  However,  since  the  incident 
of  June  22  at  Cnlp  House  the  differences  between  Sheimian 
and  Hooker  had  gi’own,  and  this  in  the  commanding  officer’s 
opinion  was  enough  to  convince  him  that  Hooker  would  not 
fully  cooperate  in  his  plans. 

Hooker,  upon  the  appointment  of  Howard,  resigned  his 
command ; and  Slocum  was  called  from  Vicksburg  to  take 
his  place  in  command  of  the  Twentieth  Corps. 

After  the  battle  of  Atlanta.  General  Howard  had  been 
drawn  out  of  its  intrenchments  on  the  left  flank,  and  moved 
on  the  27th  to  the  extreme  right. 

Some  changes  had  also  occurred  in  the  Confederate  army; 
Gen.  S.  D.  Lee  had  arrived  and  assumed  command  of  Hood’s 
old  corps,  which  had  been  commanded  temporarily  by  Cheat- 
ham. General  Hardee  had  asked  to  be  relieved,  but 
upon  request  of  the  Confederate  President  retained  his 
command. 

Major-General  Walker,  of  Hardee’s  corps,  had  been  killed 
in  the  battle  of  Atlanta ; and  his  division  was  so  depleted  that 
its  regiments  were  placed  among  the  other  divisions. 

Battle  of  Ezra  Church,  July  28. — At  noon  of  July  28 
Hood  sought  to  strike  Howard’s  right  flank  while  it  was  in 
motion  to  the  right  of  Sherman’s  army.  On  the  Lickskillet 
Eoad  General  Lee’s  division  advanced  to  the  attack  in  parallel 
lines,  supported  by  the  Loring  and  Walthall  divisions  of 
Stewart’s  corps.  Logan’s  corps  was  flrst  struck.  They  had 
made  some  preparations  for  the  attack,  and  after  a desultory 
flght  of  four  hours,  the  Confederates  were  forced  to  retire. 
Some  parts  of  the  line  had  refused  to  advance  at  the  command 
of  the  general  officers,  who  had  greatly  exposed  themselves. 


288  HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 

This  was  the  third  serioiis  repulse  of  Hood’s  army  within  a 
week. 

The  Confederate  loss  in  this  attack  was  1800  in  killed  and 
wounded,  while  several  hundred  were  missing. 

The  Federals  reported  a loss  of  600. 

Hood’s  assaults  had  all  failed,  and  he  did  not  make  another 
one  until  forced  to  do  so. 

From  August  2 to  August  15  Sherman  continued  to  extend 
his  lines  farther  to  the  right  and  west  of  Atlanta. 

On  August  15  Eeilley’s  brigade  of  Cox’s  division  in  an  at- 
tack on  the  Confederate  line  at  Utoy  Creek  failed  in  its  pur- 
pose to  break  through  the  lines  and  lost  400  men. 

Hood  had  constructed  and  so  greatly  strengthened  the 
defenses  from  Atlanta  to  East  Point  that  Sherman  concluded 
that  it  would  be  only  after  great  sacrifice  of  life  that  they 
could  be  carried. 

It  was  at  this  time  that  Wheeler  was  sent  north  with 
his  cavalry  to  destroy  Sherman’s  lines  of  supplies.  The  Fed- 
eral army,  however,  was  well  provisioned  and  had  a second 
base  at  Allatoona. 

Wheeler  in  his  raid  into  northern  Georgia  and  eastern 
Tennessee  destroyed  much  property,  but  this  did  not  mate- 
rially retard  Sherman  in  his  movements,  while  Hood  was  left 
without  Wheeler’s  watchful  care  in  protecting  his  own  line 
of  communication  and  supplies. 

Kilpatrick’s  Raid. — On  August  18  General  Sherman 
ordered  Kilpatrick,  with  a force  of  5000  cavalry,  from  Sand- 
town  to  destroy  the  West  Point  Railroad  and  the  Macon 
Railroad.  Ko  permanent  damage  was  done  to  the  railroad, 
nor  more  than  two  or  three  days’  complete  interruption  of  the 
trains  to  Atlanta.  He  left  Lovejoy  and  turned  eastward 
and  northward,  reaching  Decatur  on  the  22d. 

By  August  28  Sherman  had  advanced  his  army  to  Fair- 
burn,  on  the  West  Point  Railroad,  and  had  destroyed  12  miles 
of  the  road  to  Red  Oak.  On  the  29th  the  whole  army  was 


JOHKSTOi^  EELIEVED  EKOM  COMMATO  239 


moving  eastward,  with  General  Howard’s  army  on  the  right 
toward  Jonesboro.  Hood  now  ordered  Hardee  and  S.  D.  Lee 
to  Jonesboro,  while  he  remained  in  Atlanta  with  Stewart’s 
corps  and  the  Georgia  militia. 

On  the  30th  Howard  moved  on  the  road  from  Eairbnrn 
toward  Jonesboro.  The  Confederate  cavalry  had  impeded 
his  march  as  much  as  possible  in  order  to  give  Hardee  time 
to  form  a line  of  intrenchments  at  Elint  Eiver.  On  the  night 
of  the  30th  Logan’s  column  passed  over  the  Flint  Eiver 
bridges  and  had  time  to  make  intrenchments.  The  remain- 
ing divisions  of  Howard’s  army  arrived  by  daylight  of  the 
31st. 

Battle  of  Jonesboro. — Cleburne,  who  was  in  immediate 
command  of  Hardee’s  corps,  was  in  position  at  9 a.  m.  Lee’s 
corps  did  not  arrive  until  11  a.  m.  About  3 p.  m.  the  soldiers 
under  Lee  advanced  to  the  attack ; but  there  was  a lack  of  co- 
operation in  the  Confederate  movements.  Cleburne’s  troops 
did  not  participate  in  the  general  assault  but  kept  Kilpatrick’s 
cavalry  from  crossing  the  river,  and  forced  Howard  to  send 
part  of  Blair’s  corps  to  stop  the  movement.  After  some  two 
hours’  fighting  the  loss  to  the  Confederates  was  so  severe 
that  they  desisted  from  their  assault,  after  having  lost  about 
2000  men  killed  and  wounded.  The  Eederals,  who  had 
fought  behind  intrenchments,  had  not  lost  more  than  500  men. 

Eesults:  The  night  of  the  31st  Schofield  reached  the  rail- 
road a short  distance  south  of  Eough  and  Eeady  Station. 
General  Stanley  had  moved  farther  south.  Orders  were  now 
given  for  the  whole  army  to  move  southward.  Hardee’s  line 
bad  been  formed  to  meet  the  advance  on  the  1st  of  September. 
General  Davis  was  ordered  by  Sherman  to  attack  the  works. 
After  a desperate  fight  of  two  hours,  in  which  they  were  at 
first  repulsed,  the  Confederates  were  driven  out  and  took  up 
their  position  in  the  second  line  of  defense.  The  Confed- 
erates participating  in  this  fight  were  the  commands  of  Lewis, 
Cranberry,  and  Govan. 


240 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


General  Govan  was  captured  with  865  men  and  two  bat- 
teries. The  Confederates  lost  in  killed  and  wounded  about 
1000  men.  The  Federals’  losses  were  1100. 

During  the  night  General  Hardee  evacuated  his  lines  at 
Jonesboro  and  moved  back  to  Love  joy. 

Sherman  Enters  Atlanta  and  Burns  the  City. — About 
2 a.  m.  of  September  2 Hood  ordered  all  of  the  stores,  sup- 
plies, locomotives,  guns,  and  magazines  that  he  could  not 
move,  to  be  destroyed  by  fire.  Large  quantities  of  provisions 
were  distributed  to  the  troops  and  inhabitants  of  the  city. 
Seven  or  eight  locomotives,  with  a hundred  cars  were  burned, 
and  the  ammunition  was  exploded.  The  army  had  begun  to 
leave  the  city  by  the  Macon  turnpike  in  the  afternoon  of  the 
1st.  On  the  following  morning  Hood  had  reached  Lovejoy. 
Hood  had,  after  the  battle  of  the  31st  of  August,  ordered 
Stewart  to  Atlanta ; hut  before  this  officer  had  gone  half-way 
the  order  was  countermanded  and  directions  given  to  cover 
Hood’s  movement  out  of  Atlanta. 

About  9 a.  m.,  September  2,  Shennan’s  army  discovered 
that  Atlanta  had  been  abandoned.  The  city  was  immediately 
occupied  by  Slocum’s  corps.  Sherman  had  followed  Hardee 
to  Lovejoy,  but  gave  up  the  pursuit  and  ordered  his  army 
back  to  Jonesboro,  which  was  reached  on  the  5th  of  Septem- 
ber. By  September  8 the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  was 
located  in  and  around  Atlanta,  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  at 
East  Point,  and  the  Army  of  the  Ohio  at  Decatur. 

On  September  5 Sherman  issued  an  order  to  all  civilians 
of  Atlanta  who  had  representatives  in  the  army  to  leave  the 
city  in  five  days.  This  was  indeed  a cruel  order  and  subjected 
to  exposure  and  death  many  non-combatants.  The  Mayor  and 
inhabitants  protested  against  such  inhumanity ; but  Sherman 
refused  to  consider  their  plea.  He  proposed  a truce  of  10 
days  with  Hood  for  the  fulfillment  of  the  order  and  for  ex- 
change of  prisoners.  A commission  of  200  was  selected  from 
each  army  to  make  arrangements.  After  writing  a letter  of 


JOHN-STOIsT  EELIEVED  EEOM  COMMAND  241 


severe  censure  and  protest,  Hood  had  to  accept  the  conditions. 

Old  and  decrepit  men  and  women,  pregnant  women,  and 
small  children  were  all  crowded  together  in  old  cars  and 
wagons  and  sent  as  far  as  Eongh  and  Eeady  Station,  where 
they  were  left  to  shift  for  themselves.  The  city  was  not 
hnmed  until  Novemher  16,  when  the  march  to  the  sea  began. 

Eesults : The  capture  of  Atlanta  was  a terrible  blow  to  the 
Confederacy.  The  North  was  reanimated  and  hopeful.  At- 
lanta was  one  of  the  most  active  manufacturing  cities  of  the 
South.  It  Avas  also  a railroad  center,  and  in  close  touch  with 
the  agricultural  districts  of  the  Gulf  States. 

The  Eederals  had  lost  during  the  campaign,  from  May  7 to 
September  1,  about  32,000  men. 

The  Confederates  had  lost  up  to  July  18, — when  Hood 
assumed  command,— about  15,000  men;  from  then  until 
September  1 their  killed,  wounded,  and  captured  aggregated 
possibly  21,000.  During  the  Avhole  campaign  Sherman  re- 
ported the  cajAture  of  12,983  men. 

General  Hood  had  on  July  31,  1864,  reported  the  number 
of  men  present  in  his  army  65,601.  Of  these  44,495  were 
effective.  The  Federal  army’s  effective  force  had  been 
throughout  the  campaign  in  the  ratio  of  10  to  6. 


CHAPTER  XXXV 


NAVAL  EVENTS  ON  GBEAT  IMPOKTANCE  DITRING  THE  SHMMEK 

OF  1864 

Before  following  the  great  campaign  of  Lee  and  Grant  in 
Virginia,  which  was  contemporaneous  with  that  of  Sherman 
against  Johnston,  we  can  study,  with  advantage  and  interest, 
the  naval  expedition  in  Mobile  Bay,  the  capture  of  the 
Florida,  and  the  destruction  of  the  Alabama. 

Battle  in  Mobile  Bay.—  Mobile  was  a city  of  20,000  at 
the  beginning  of  the  Civil  War  and  was  situated  at  the  mouth 
of  the  Alabama  River,  thirty  miles  from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 
It  had  been  very  difficult  for  the  Federal  fleet  to  thoroughly 
blockade  the  port.  The  city  was  at  first  used  as  a naval 
depot,  but  much  of  the  material  was  later  moved  up  the  river 
to  Selma.  The  Eederals  had  long  contemplated  a serious 
movement  against  the  place. 

It  was  a difficult  undertaking.  Mobile  Bay  was  large  and 
well  land-locked.  A narrow  peninsula  about  15  miles  long, 
ending  at  Mobile  Point,  protected  the  entrance  on  the  south- 
east. Upon  this  point  was  located  Fort  Morgan,  with  48 
guns.  The  mouth  of  the  Bay  lay  between  this  point  and  the 
eastern  end  of  Dauphin  Island,  which  separates  Mississippi 
Sound  from  the  Gulf  and  is  12  miles  long.  Between  the 
Island  and  the  mainland  is  Little  Dauphin  Island,  upon  which 
Fort  Powell  was  located;  to  the  north  is  Grant  Pass,  narrow 
and  shallow,  which  connects  the  Sound  and  Mobile  Bay. 
These  passes  between  Dauphin  Island  and  the  mainland  were 
well  guarded  by  the  forts,  obstructions,  and  torpedoes.  On 
the  eastern  end  of  Dauphin  Island  was  Fort  Gaines,  with  21 

242 


ITAVAL  EVENTS  OF  1864 


243 


mounted  guns.  Nearly  a mile  southwest  of  Mobile  Point  was 
Sand  Island, — a strip  about  a half-mile  long.  The  middle 
channel  was  the  entrance  between  Sand  Island  and 
Dauphin  Island,  in  which  piles  and  various  obstructions  were 
placed.  To  attack  or  enter  one  had  to  pass  near  Fort  Morgan. 
The  Confederates  had  three  gunboats,  the  Gaines,  the  Selma, 
and  the  Morgan,  and  also  the  ironclad  Tennessee,  which  car- 
ried six  rifles  of  Ti/g  bore,  and  four  6-inch  broadsides.  Such 
was  the  situation  of  Mobile  Bay  and  the  strength  of  its  de- 
fenses. 

During  the  flrst  of  August,  rmder  an  agreement  between 
Farragut  and  Canby,  the  troops  commanded  by  Gen.  Gor- 
don Granger  arrived,  amounting  to  2500  men,  which  were  to 
be  used  in  investing  Fort  Gaines. 

Admiral  Farragut  had  14  steamers  and  4 monitors,  carry- 
ing 212  guns,  opposed  to  the  26  guns  and  4 boats  of  the  Con- 
federates. 

Admiral  FaiTagut  ordered  his  fleet  to  begin  its  movement 
at  5 :30  a.  m.,  August  5.  At  6 ;45  a.  m.  the  flrst  shot  was 
flred  from  the  monitor  Tecumseh,  commanded  by  Capt.  T. 
A.  M.  Craven.  In  a few  moments  this  vessel  was  struck  by 
the  shots  from  Fort  Morgan.  This  caused  the  Brooklyn  to 
pause  momentarily,  hut  Farragut  ordered  a rapid  advance  and 
constant  broadsides  upon  the  fort.  A wind  blew  the  smoke 
from  the  gims  of  the  fleet  into  the  faces  of  the  gunners  of  the 
fort,  preventing  them  from  being  effective  in  their  aim.  By 
8 a.  m.  the  entire  fleet  had  passed  Fort  Morgan. 

In  the  meantime  the  three  Confederate  gnmloats  had  greatly 
annoyed  the  advancing  fleet;  many  upon  the  Federal  boats 
were  killed.  Farragut  ordered  Captain  Jouett,  in  command 
of  the  gunboat  Metacomet,  carrying  ten  guns,  to  go  in  pursuit 
of  the  Morgan  and  the  Selma.  The  Gaines  had  been  damaged 
and  withdrew  under  the  protection  of  the  fort.  The  Selma 
was  overhauled  and  captured ; the  Morgan  made  her  way  to 
Mobile ; the  Gaines  was  captured  later  on. 


244 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


In  the  meantime  at  8 :40  a.  m.,  after  the  Federal  vessels  had 
all  passed  the  fort  and  were  being  brought  to  anchor,  Admiral 
Buchanan,  in  command  of  the  Tennessee,  made  a direct  attack 
upon  the  Hartford.  It  was  a desperate  undertaking.  Far- 
ragut  ordered  his  monitors  and  the  heavier  vessels  to  attack 
the  Confederate  ironclad  not  only  with  their  guns  hut  also  with 
their  hows  at  full  head-way. 

The  Monongahela  and  the  Lachawanna, — two  very  heavy 
vessels, — made  the  fii’st  assault,  but  were  severely  injured  in 
the  crash.  They  were  followed  hy  the  Hartford,  each  vessel 
firing  a broadside  against  the  Tennessee  at  close  range.  The 
monitors  Chickasaw  and  Manhattan  shot  away  her  smoke- 
stack. The  steering-gear  and  chain  of  the  ram  had  been 
destroyed,  while  Admiral  Buchanan  was  seriously  wounded 
in  the  leg.  The  odds  were  too  great.  The  white  fiag  was 
run  up  and  Admiral  Buchanan  surrendered  himself  and  his 
crew  to  Farragut. 

Eesults:  The  Federals  had  lost  165  killed  and  drowned, 
while  many  were  wounded.  The  fleet  had  suffered  severely. 
Ho  one  had  been  killed  or  wounded  on  the  monitors. 

On  the  night  of  August  5 Fort  Powell  was  abandoned  and 
blown  up. 

Farragut’s  victory  was  not  yet  complete;  for  the  two  main 
forts  were  still  intact.  However,  his  praise  was  in  the  mouth 
of  the  whole  Horth.  He  was  compared  to  the  great  English 
naval  commander.  Admiral  Helson.  Hew  Orleans  and  Mo- 
bile Bay  were  great  victories,  but  the  small  force  of  the  Con- 
federate vessels  in  the  latter  fight  hardly  justified  the  extrav- 
agant praise  accorded  the  Federal  admiral  in  destroying  them. 

The  Surrender  of  Fort  Gaines. — Colonel  Anderson  was 
in  command  at  Fort  Gaines.  On  the  5th  of  August  General 
Granger  began  to  invest  it.  About  one  mile  from  the  fort  a 
battery  of  Eodman  gams  had  been  placed.  On  August  6 the 
guns  of  the  fort  were  disabled  and  on  the  same  day  the  be- 
sieged suffered  from  the  combined  attack  of  the  fleet  and  shore 


NAVAL  EVENTS  OE  1864 


245 


batteries.  Colonel  Anderson  surrendered  the  fort  and  800 
men  on  August  Y. 

Capture  of  Fort  Morgan. — Eort  Morgan  was  com- 
manded by  Gen.  Richard  L.  Page,  a native  of  Virginia,  and 
was  better  supplied  than  Fort  Gaines.  After  the  capture  of 
the  latter  fort  General  Granger  transferred  his  army  to  the 
rear  of  Fort  Morgan.  He  ordered  siege-guns  from  New  Or- 
leans, and  hy  August  20  heavy  batteries  were  located  within 
800  yards  of  the  fort,  and  another  line  within  400  yards  of 
the  fort. 

The  Federals  continued  their  preparations  until  the  even- 
ing of  the  21st.  At  5 a.  m.,  August  22,  the  bombardment  was 
begun  by  the  fleet  and  the  army.  It  continued  with  great 
severity  all  day.  A Are  had  broken  out  in  the  fort  in  the 
afternoon.  The  homhardment  ceased  at  dark  but  was  re- 
sumed for  two  hours  after  9 p.  m.  At  5 a.  m.  on  August  23 
the  bombardment  was  again  begun  by  the  Federal  forces. 
About  7 a.  m.  a letter  was  sent  to  Farragut  by  Page,  asking 
that  the  sick  and  wounded  be  allowed  to  move  to  Mobile; 
whereupon  an  unconditional  surrender  was  demanded  by  the 
Federals.  At  2 p.  m.  the  fort  was  surrendered  with  600  men. 
This  completely  opened  the  bay  and  prevented  further  block- 
ade-running. The  Confederates  had  lost  104  guns  and  1464 
men. 

The  city  of  Mobile,  however,  still  remained  for  eight 
months  in  Confederate  hands. 


CHAPTER  XXXVI 


THE  ALABAMA,  THE  KEABSAEGE,  AND  OTHEE  VESSELS 

The  greatest  naval  event  that  occurred  on  the  high  seas 
during  the  Civil  War  was  the  destruction  of  the  Confederate 
privateer,  the  Alabama,  by  the  Kearsarge.  Before  narrating 
this  important  engagement  it  will  be  well  to  glance  at  this 
phase  of  the  War  between  the  States. 

Among  the  earlier  vessels  that  floated  the  Confederate  flag 
was  the  small  schooner  Savannah,  of  only  50  tons  and  carry- 
ing an  18-pound  gun.  Early  in  June,  1861,  she  captured  a 
large  sugar-laden  brig  from  Maine,  but  soon  afterwards  was 
captured  by  the  Eederal  cruiser  Perry.  The  Petrel,  Juda, 
and  Nashville  were  three  Confederate  vessels  which  did  con- 
siderable damage  to  the  commerce  of  the  Union  States.  Th'e 
latter  was  destroyed  on  February  22,  1863,  near  Fort  McAl- 
lister, on  the  Ogeeehee  River. 

The  most  formidable  of  the  earlier  Confederate  privateers 
was  the  Sumter,  commanded  by  Captain  Semmes.  She  car- 
ried 9 guns,  and  in  her  brief  career  captured  26  prizes. 
She  was  Anally  forced  to  seek  a refuge  at  Gibraltar,  January, 
1862,  and  was  there  abandoned.  The  Confederate  ofl&cers  of 
the  Sumter  soon  took  charge  of  the  Alabama. 

The  Alabama. — The  Alabama  was  the  most  powerful  of 
the  Confederate  privateers.  She  was  huilt  at  Birkenhead, 
England,  and  left  the  Mersey  River  July  29,  1862,  arriving  at 
Porta  Praya,  on  the  19th  of  August.  On  the  20th  of  August 
Captain  Semmes  with  his  crew  assumed  charge ; the  Confed- 
erate flag  was  raised,  and  the  vessel  was  named  the  Alabama. 

On  August  29  the  vessel  started  her  cruise,  which  was  to 

246 


THE  ALABAMA  AND  THE  KEAESARGE  247 


eontiniie  two  years.  By  October  20  seven  prizes  had  been 
captured.  On  January  11,  1863,  the  Hatteras, — one  of  the 
Federal  gunboats  aiding  in  the  blockade  of  Galveston, — was 
destroyed.  Captain  Semmes  now  continued  his  cruise  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  West  Indies,  capturing  many  vessels,  and  by 
May  11,  1863,  was  at  Bahia,  Brazil. 

A long  voyage  was  made  around  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope 
into  the  Malay  Archipelago.  In  the  vicinity  of  Singapore  a 
number  of  captures  were  made.  By  June,  1864,  the  Alabama 
had  reached  Cherbourg,  France,  where  she  went  into  port. 
Up  to  this  time  this  powerful  vessel  had  captured  or  destroyed 
65  vessels,  with  their  cargoes,  valued  at  nearly  $10,000,000. 

The  Sea  Engagement  Between  the  Alabama  and  the 
Kearsarge. — At  the  time  that  the  Alabama  entered  Cher- 
bourg the  Federal  cruiser  Kearsarge  was  at  the  Dutch  port. 
Flushing.  The  Kearsarge  was  commanded  by  Capt.  John 
A.  Winslow  and  had  on  board  22  officers  and  140  men.  The 
Alabama  had  140  officers  and  men.  The  armaments  of  the 
two  vessels  were  practically  the  same.  The  Kearsarge  had 
the  advantage  over  the  Alabama,  her  midship  having  been 
made  almost  invulnerable  to  the  shells  from  the  Confederate 
vessel  by  means  of  a concealed  layer  of  cable  chains  from  the 
rail  to  the  water,  covered  by  planks;  whereas  the  Alabama's 
hull  was  easily  entered  and  damaged  by  the  heavy  shells. 

This  memorable  naval  battle  occurred  Sunday  morning, 
June  19,  about  10 :30  o’clock,  at  a distance  of  seven  miles 
from  the  French  shore.  When  the  vessels  were  about  one 
mile  apart  the  Alabama  opened  fire;  the  Kearsarge  did  not 
respond  until  she  was  within  half  a mile.  The  vessels  now 
began  to  maneuver  in  a circle.  About  1 p.  m.  the  Alabama 
showed  evidence  of  great  distress  and  ran  up  a white  flag. 
Twenty  minutes  after  the  vessel  surrendered  she  sank  in  the 
water  of  the  English  Channel. 

Many  of  the  men  on  the  Alabama  were  drowned.  The 
English  ship  or  yacht,  the  Deerhound,  rescued  Captain 


248' 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


Sertmies  and  several  of  the  crew,  while  others  were  taken  up 
hy  the  French  boats.  The  Confederates  lost  about  40  of  the 
crew  of  the  Alabama. 

The  Kearsarge,  except  in  her  rigging,  had  suffered  veiy 
little ; there  were  only  three  casualties  on  board. 

There  was  a great  deal  of  discussion  concerning  the 
neutrality  of  Great  Britain  during  the  Civil  War,  but  inas- 
much as  the  Forth  received  cannons,  rifles,  ammunition,  and 
every  form  of  supplies  for  military  purposes  from  England, 
the  building  of  ships  for  the  Confederacy, — ships  that  were 
manned  by  Confederate  sailors, — surely  constituted  no 
greater  breach  of  neutrality. 

The  Privateer  Florida. — The  Florida  was  the  com- 
panion ship  to  the  Alabama.  She  was  finished  in  the  fall  of 
1862,  and  entered  Mobile  Bay  Sept.  4.  Here  she  remained 
until  the  latter  part  of  December,  when  she  set  out  on  her 
cruise  among  the  West  Indies,  approaching  within  60  miles 
of  Few  York.  Within  three  months  15  vessels  had  been  cap- 
tured by  her.  The  Florida  crossed  the  Atlantic  during  the 
summer  of  1863  and  was  detained  at  Brest  dui’ing  part  of 
September.  In  crossing  the  Atlantic  she  came  in  close  to 
Few  York  and  captured  the  steamer  Electric  Sparky  hound 
for  Few  Orleans.  From  here  she  directed  her  course  to  the 
port  of  Bahia,  Brazil, — a neutral  port, — where  she 
anchored.  At  this  time  the  Federal  vessel  Wachusett,  com- 
manded hy  Fapoleon  Collins,  was  also  laying  in  the  harbor 
of  Bahia. 

In  an  unguarded  moment,  when  half  of  the  Florida’s  crew 
was  ashore,  the  Federal  commander  in  the  dark  hours  of  mid- 
night, October  6,  made  an  endeavor  to  sink  the  Florida;  but 
failing  in  this,  they  captured  the  vessel  and  towed  her  out  to 
sea.  She  was  eventually  sunk  in  Hampton  Eoads.  This  was 
an  outrageous  disregard  of  all  the  courtesies  due  to  Brazil  as 
a neutral  nation, — a wanton  violation  of  every  principle  of 
civilized  warfare.  The  Federal  Secretary  of  State  apolo- 


THE  ALABAMA  AHD  THE  KEAESARGE  249 


gized  to  the  Brazilian  Government,  but  the  Florida  was  re- 
tained by  the  Eederals  as  a prize  of  war.  The  Florida  in  a 
year  had  destroyed  or  captured  22  vessels. 

Other  vessels  of  the  Confederates  which  did  great  dam- 
age to  Northern  commerce  were  the  Tallahassee,  the  ChicJc- 
amauga,  the  Georgia,  the  Shenandoah,  and  the  Stonewall. 
The  damage  done  to  Horthem  commerce  by  Confederate  ves- 
sels during  the  Civil  War  was  enormous.  Two  hundred  or 
more  Northern  vessels  had  been  captured  or  destroyed, 
amounting  to  the  large  sum  of  $15,000,000,  including  their 
cargoes.  The  United  States  Merchant  Marine  has  never 
recovered  its  former  pi*estige.  Its  commerce  was  perman- 
ently injured. 


CHAPTEE  XXXVII 


GENEilA-L.  PKICe’s  EAST  INVASION  OF  MISSOURI 

After  the  battle  of  Chickamaiiga  General  Eosecrans  had 
been  transferred  to  the  command  of  the  State  of  Missouri. 
Having  reached  St.  Louis  in  January,  1864,  he  found  the 
political  conditions  of  the  State  in  great  turmoil.  The  suc- 
cesses of  the  Confederates  in  Arkansas  had  restored  this  State 
practically  to  the  hands  of  Gen.  Kirby  Smith  and  General 
Price.  There  were  thousands  of  Southern  sympatkizers  who 
had  been  kept  from  joining  and  aiding  the  Confederacy  by 
tbe  strong  band  with  wbicb  tbe  Federal  Government  beld 
Missouri.  Many  secret  societies  were  formed  for  tbe  purpose 
of  defeating  and  setting  aside  tbe  Federal  Government  in 
this  State. 

The  soldier,  Gen.  Sterling  Price, — who  was  ever 
eager  to  regain  his  native  State  to  the  Confederacy, — 
about  the  middle  of  September,  1864,  and  10,000  men  under 
the  command  of  General  Shelby,  General  Marmaduke  and 
General  Fagan,  began  their  advance  from  Poplar  Bluff.  On 
September  23  they  occupied  Bloomfield,  Mo.,  a town  in  Stod- 
dard County  that  had  been  abandoned  on  September  21  by 
the  Federals.  From  here  Price  moved  to  Pilot  Knob. 

The  Federals  under  Gen.  H.  S.  Ewing  made  a stand  here 
on  the  27th  but  were  forced  to  evacuate  and  move  to  Eolla. 
The  Confederates  occupied  this  place,  which  was  86  miles 
south  of  St.  Louis,  but  their  delay  here  had  given  Eosecrans 
time  to  concentrate  sufficient  forces  at  St.  Louis  to  make  the 
city  secure. 

General  Price  now  moved  northward  toward  the  Missouri 

250 


PEICE’S  LAST  INVASION  OP  MISSOTJEI  251 


Eiver.  A large  force  of  Pederal  cavalry  tmder  Pleasanton 
and  Sanborn  occupied  Jefferson  City  on  October  8.  They 
vere  ordered  to  follow  and  harass  the  Confederate  army. 

By  the  middle  of  October  Price’s  army  entered  California, 
25  miles  west  of  Jefferson  City,  and  destroyed  part  of  the 
railroad  and  depot.  The  army  under  Price  had  not  received 
the  recruits  that  had  been  expected,  and  many  of  the 
soldiers,  finding  themselves  on  native  soil,  left  his  army. 
Price,  on  the  13th,  left  Booneville  and  reached  Lexington  on 
October  17.  The  Federal  cavaliy  under  Pleasanton,  con- 
sisting of  at  least  7000  men,  on  October  22,  near  Indepen- 
dence, j\Io.,  defeated  a part  of  the  Confederate  army,  under 
General  Fagan. 

On  October  23  General  Pleasanton,  in  conjunction  with 
General  Curtis,  attacked  General  Price  on  the  Big  Blue 
Eiver  near  Westport.  The  fight  began  early  in  the  morning 
and  continued  with  gTeat  fury  until  1 p.  m.,  when  the  Con- 
federates were  forced  to  give  way,  and  moved  rapidly  to  Little 
Santa  Fe.  The  combined  forces  of  Curtis  and  Pleasanton 
now  followed  in  rapid  pursuit;  and  the  Confederates  were 
attacked  early  in  the  morning  of  the  25th  near  Fort  Scott. 

The  Confederates  had  lost  8 pieces  of  artillery,  about  1000 
men,  and  1500  small  arms;  and  Generals  Cabell  and  Mar- 
maduke  had  been  captured. 

General  Price  now  turned  south  and  crossed  the  Arkansas 
Eiver  above  Fort  Smith,  returning  later  to  southern  Arkan- 
sas, where  (December  8)  he  went  into  winter  quarters  at 
Washington.  His  army  was  in  a bad  plight;  it  had  suffered 
greatly  from  the  invasion  and  from  the  severity  of  the 
winter.  This  invasion, — which  practically  ended  military 
activity  west  of  the  Mississippi, — had  been  to  the  Confed- 
erates a failure,  but  for  the  destruction  of  a large  amount  of 
property  and  the  capture  of  many  horses,  cattle,  and  a quan- 
tity of  forage,  much  of  which  was  lost  during  the  retreat. 
The  reputation  of  General  Eosecrans  suffered  greatly  because, 


252 


HISTOEY  OE  THE.  CIVIL  WAE 


T\'ith.  a rQuch  superior  force  to  oppose  Price,  he  was  allowed 
to  make  such  an  extensive  and  destructive  raid  throughout 
the  whole  State,  though  the  Federal  loss  in  men  had  been 
slight.  There  were  only  250  killed,  wounded,  and  missing. 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII 


THE  YEAR  1861  IN  VIRGINIA.  GENERAL  GRANt’s  MOVEMENTS 
AFTER  CHATTANOOGA 

Grant’s  brilliant  movements  at  Chattanooga  and  his  subse- 
quent defeat  of  Bragg  had  brought  him  great  renown.  Presi- 
dent Lincoln  by  telegram  acknowledged  his  wonderful  achieve- 
ment in  the  following  words : 

“Understanding  that  your  lodgment  at  Chattanooga  and  Knoxville 
is  now  secure,  I wish  to  tender  you,  and  all  under  your  command,  my 
more  than  thanks  — my  profoundest  gratitude  — for  the  skill,  courage 
and  perseverance  with  which  you  and  they,  over  so  great  difficulties, 
have  effected  that  important  object.  God  bless  you  all.” 

On  Decemher  17  Congress  voted  unanimously  a resolution 
of  thanks  to  Grant  and  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  that  had 
fought  under  his  command.  In  January,  1864,  General 
Grant  visited  his  sick  son  at  St.  Louis.  During  the  month 
of  February,  the  rank  of  lieutenant-general  was  revived  by 
Congress, — a rank  that  had  been  held  by  but  two  men : 
Washington  and  Scott.  On  March  10,  1864,  General  Grant 
received  notice  from  President  Lincoln  of  his  appointment  as 
lieutenant-general. 

The  same  day  that  this  commission  was  received.  Grant 
went  to  Brandy  Station,  Va.,  to  consult  with  Meade,  who  was 
still  in  command  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  On  the  11th 
of  March  General  Grant  left  for  Xashville,  where  he  was  to 
meet  General  Sherman,  and  where  they  formulated  a plan  of 

253 


254 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


concerted  action  against  the  Confederacy.  On  March  23, 
Grant  was  again  in  Washington  and  at  once  established  his 
headquarters  in  the  field,  preparatory  to  the  fearful  struggle 
which  was  to  follow  his  hammering  methods.  We  have  seen 
how  his  plans  were  carried  out  by  Sherman  in  the  West. 

The  Two  Annies. — The  Federal  army  at  Culpeper  and 
Lee’s  ai-my  around  Orange  remained  inactive, — but  for  drill- 
ing, recruiting,  and  equipping, — during  the  early  winter 
months  of  1864.  All  energy  was  being  put  forth  by  both 
Federals  and  Confederates  to  prepare  for  the  terrible  contest 
that  was  soon  to  follow. 

Cavalry  Raids. — During  the  latter  part  of  February, 
1864,  a cavalry  expedition  of  6000  Federals,  under  the  com- 
mand of  General  Custer  and  General  Kilpatrick  and  a body 
of  800  men  under  Col.  Ulric  DahlgTen  were  sent  out  to  raid 
the  country  about  Eichmond. 

Custer  reached  Charlottesville,  where  he  surprised  a body 
of  Stuart’s  cavalry;  but  he  was  forced  to  retire  to  Madison 
Court  House. 

Kilpatrick  by  March  1 had  come  within  a short  distance  of 
Eichmond,  but  was  driven  in  rapid  retreat  across  the  Chicka- 
hominy  and  down  the  Peninsula,  and  arrived  at  Fortress  Mon- 
roe, having  lost  150  men  and  having  accomplished  very  little. 

Dahlgren’s  Raid. — Dahlgren,  who  had  planned  to  cross 
to  the  south  side  of  the  James  Eiver  and  cooperate  with 
Kilpatrick,  did  not  reach  the  outer  lines  around  Eichmond 
until  late  in  the  afternoon  of  March  2.  Here  he  was  attacked 
by  the  militia  and  the  home  guards,  who  scattered  his  band. 
By  the  night  of  March  3 he  reached  the  Mattapony  at  Dabney 
Ferry,  where  he  was  killed,  while  the  band  of  men  with  him 
were  either  captured  or  killed.  The  purpose  of  this  bold 
raid,  as  verified  by  orders  and  letters,  was  to  bum  Eichmond 
and  liberate  the  Federal  prisoners. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX 


THB  WELDERI^ESS  CAMPAIGIT 

Strength  of  the  Federal  Army  and  the  Confederate. — 

Every  effort  had  been  made  hy  the  Confederates  to  equip  and 
recruit  their  much-thinned  ranks  south  of  the  Eapidan.  The 
devoted  women  of  the  Southland  had  worked  diligently  to  sup- 
ply the  soldiers  with  socks  and  clothes. 

By  May  8 Lee’s  whole  effective  command  under  his  three 
lieutenants, — Hill,  Ewell,  and  Longstreet, — consisted  of  more 
than  50,000,- — a force  that  was  not  appreciably  strengthened 
until  May  24.  Lee,  however,  made  his  position  south  of  the 
Eapidan  as  strong  as  possible  up  to  a point  three  miles  below 
Raccoon  Ford.  Hill’s  and  Ewell’s  divisions  extended  ten 
miles  on  each  side  of  Orange  Court  House,  while  Longstreet’s 
division  lay  at  Gordonsville,  13  miles  southwest  of  their  line. 
By  the  latter  part  of  May  Lee  had  62,000  men  and  224  field 
guns,  with  which  to  combat  the  formidable  army  under  Grant 
and  his  lieutenants. 

After  Grant  had  been  given  supreme  command  he  left  im- 
mediate charge  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  to  Meade.  By 
April  23  Grant  had  reorganized  the  great  Army  of  the  Poto- 
mac, consisting  of  125,000  men,  which  included  the  30,000 
men  under  Burnside.  Butler’s  33,000  on  the  James,  and 
20,000  men  under  Sigel  were  to  cooperate  with  Grant.  The 
first  Grand  Army  had  318  field  guns,  and  was  fully  equipped 
with  every  necessary  munition  of  war.  The  United  States 
Government  had  been  unsparing  in  its  effort  to  supply  Grant’s 
army.  Hancock,  Warren,  and  Sedg^vick  commanded  respec- 
tively the  second,  fifth,  and  sixth  divisions  of  the  Army  of  the 

255 


256 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


Potomac  under  Meade.  Sheridan,  who  had  been  recently 
transferred  from  the  West,  was  in  command  of  the  cavalry. 

On  Thursday,  May  4,  at  6 a.  m.,  the  army,  led  by  Meade 
and  Grant,  crossed  the  Eapidan  at  Ely  and  Germanna  Fords 
and  threatened  Lee’s  right  flank.  All  the  Army  of  the  Poto- 
mac, except  the  wagon  trains  and  Burnside’s  Hinth  Corps, 
had  crossed  the  Eapidan  during  the  day. 

First  Day’s  Battle  of  the  Wilderness. — General  Lee  did 
not  dispute  Grant’s  passage  of  the  Eapidan,  but  on  the  morn- 
ing of  May  4 left  his  headquarters  at  Orange  Court  House  and 
with  Ewell’s  corps,  two  divisions  of  Hill’s  corps,  artillery  and 
cavalry,  marched  along  the  Orange  Turnpike  and  Plank  Eoad 
toward  Wilderness  Tavern.  Longstreet,  who  was  at  Gordons- 
ville  with  two  divisions,  was  ordered  to  follow,  and  a special 
guide  was  sent  to  direct  him.  But  this  guide  was  dismissed, 
which  was  probably  the  cause  of  the  General’s  losing  his  way 
and  not  getting  into  position  until  the  6th  of  May. 

The  Wilderness  was  a wild  and  weird  region  that  lay  south 
of  the  Eapidan,  near  its  junction  with  the  Eappahannock. 
Fredericksburg  lay  to  the  east.  Orange  Court  House  to  the 
west,  and  Spottsylvania  Court  House  to  the  south.  The 
country  was  more  fitted  for  the  denizens  of  the  forest  than  for 
the  maneuvering  of  great  armies,  being  covered  with  a jungle 
of  undergrowth, — scrub-oak,  pine,  and  sassafras  trees, — with 
a few  small  tobacco  fields,  now  deserted,  and  intersected  by 
crude  woodland  roads  and  narrow  ravines.  Here  it  was  al- 
most impossible  to  use  effectively  either  artillery  or  cavalry. 

The  battle  of  the  Wilderness  was  one  of  the  most  terrible, 
bloody,  and  decisive  battles  of  the  great  war.  At  5 o’clock 
Thursday  morning.  May  5,  1864,  according  to  plans  agreed 
upon  by  the  Federals,  Warren  began  his  march  on  the  Orange 
Plank  Eoad  to  Parker’s  Store.  Sedgwick  was  to  support 
Warren  on  the  right  as  far  as  the  Wilderness  Tavern;  Gen- 
eral Hancock  was  to  extend  his  Sixth  Corps  to  Shade  Grove 
Church,  joining  Warren  on  the  left.  Sheridan  was  to  move 


THE  WILDERNESS  CAMPAIGN 


257 


with  his  cavalry  toward  the  Confederates  near  Hamilton 
Crossing,  while  Wilson’s  cavalry  division  was  advanced  to 
Craig  Meeting-house. 

At  the  junction  of  the  Stevenshnrg  Plank  Road  and  the  old 
turnpike  was  the  old  Wilderness  Tavern.  Brock  Road 
branched  from  Stevensburg  Plank  Road  before  it  intersected 
the  Plank  Road  pike  and  ran  due  south  to  Spottsylvania ; 
while  five  miles  to  the  southeast  the  Plank  Road  and  Turnpike 
intersected  at  Wilderness  Church. 

About  noon  Warren’s  advance  forces,  under  Griffin  and 
Wardsworth,  met  and  engaged  Johnson’s  division  of  General 
Ewell’s  corps  near  Wilderness  Tavern.  Rodes’  division  now 
came  to  J ohnson’s  aid,  driving  back  in  considerable  confusion 
the  men  under  Griffin  and  Wardsworth,  who  lost  3000  soldiers 
and  several  guns.  Reinforcements  under  Getty  and 
McCandless  checked  the  scattered  Federals.  Getty  stoutly 
resisted  the  advance  of  Hill.  Hancock  had  been  pressing  as 
fast  as  possible  along  the  Brock  Road  in  order  to  reach  its 
intersection  with  the  Plank  Road  before  Hill  should  arrive 
there.  About  3 p.  m.  he  advanced  to  Getty’s  aid.  The  battle 
became  fierce  and  sanguinary.  The  divisions  of  Heth,  Wil- 
cox and  Anderson  of  Hill’s  corps,  repulsed  Hancock’s  attacks 
and  the  Federal  general  was  unable  to  drive  Hill  back  on  the 
plank  road.  Night  closed  the  first  day’s  battle  of  the  Wilder- 
ness. 

Second  Day’s  Battle  of  the  Wilderness. — While  Ewell 
and  Hill  were  fighting  the  first  day’s  battle  Longstreet  had 
gotten  almost  hopelessly  lost  in  his  endeavor  to  reach  them, 
and  he  camped  the  night  of  the  5th  near  Verdiersville,  some 
10  miles  to  their  rear.  It  was  not  until  the  afternoon  of  the 
6th  that  Longstreet  was  able  to  effect  a junction  with  Hill, 
which  was  just  in  the  nick  of  time  to  save  the  Confederates 
a severe  defeat. 

Daybreak  of  May  6 found  Grant’s  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  thousand  men  in  a well  arranged  army  extending  over 


258 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


a distance  of  five  miles.  They  were  endeavoring  to  carry  out 
plans  to  destroy  Lee’s  two  corps, — one  under  Ewell  on  the 
left,  and  the  other  under  Hill  on  the  right.  Lee,  outwardly 
calm,  was  anxiously  awaiting  the  arrival  of  Longstreet, — ap- 
parently his  only  hope.  The  Federal  right  was  commanded 
by  Sedgwick,  the  left  by  Hancock,  while  Warren  and  Bum- 
side  were  in  the  center,  facing  the  west.  Grant’s  orders  had 
been,  “ Attack  along  the  Avhole  line  at  five  in  the  morning,” 
but  Lee  forestalled  him  by  attacking  Sedgwick  on  the  Federal 
right. 

The  fearful  carnage  was  most  tenable  between  Hill’s  corps 
and  Hancock’s  coi'ps,  where  the  fighting  was  heaviest.  The 
troops  of  Hill  had  been  driven  back  a mile  beyond  their  ad- 
vance position.  The  situation  looked  dangerous  for  the  Con- 
federates, but  about  seven  o’clock  Hancock  was  forced  to 
rearrange  his  troops.  The  pause  was  a great  gain  to  Hill, 
who  was  able  to  bring  up  his  remaining  divisions. 

Hancock  resumed  the  advance  after  the  loss  of  two  hours 
of  precious  time.  It  soon  became  evident  to  Hancock  that 
he  had  Longstreet  now  also  to  face.  During  this  particular 
period  of  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness  General  Lee  had  placed 
himself  at  the  head  of  Gregg’s  Texans  in  the  charge  but  was 
finally  persuaded  to  go  to  the  rear.  Longstreet’s  promptness 
in  deploying  his  troops  and  his  own  personal  bravery  Avere 
masterful.  About  11  a.  m.,  Hancock  began  to  fall  back  toward 
Brock’s  Road.  His  sitAiation,  under  the  irresistible  pressure 
of  the  troops  of  Hill  and  Longstreet  Avas  becoming  critical. 
Gen.  Samuel  WardsAvorth  had  been  killed  and  his  men  scat- 
tered in  rout.  It  seemed  as  if  the  Confederates  Avere 
destined  to  gain  a complete  victory. 

A fatal  pause  now  occurred  in  the  rapidly  advancing  line 
of  the  triumphant  Confederates.  What  had  happened  ? 
Only  the  same  misfortiAne  had  occurred  in  the  second  battle 
of  the  Wilderness  that  had  befallen  at  Chancellorsville  and 
at  Shiloh:  the  head  of  the  great  throbbing  impulse  of  the 


THE  WILDEENESS  CAmAIGH 


259 


mighty  advance  had  been  stricken  low.  Johnston  was  killed 
at  Shiloh  at  the  height  of  success,  Jackson  was  wounded  unto 
death  by  his  own  men  at  Chancellorsville,  and  so  now  Long- 
street  was  shot  down  and  his  friend  General  Jenkins  killed 
by  a volley  from  Mahone’s  division  of  his  own  corps.  For- 
tunate for  Hancock  that  he  had  prepared  breastworks  to  fall 
back  to  for  protection. 

Lee  now  ordered  the  charge  of  Longstreet’s  and  Hill’s 
troops  against  Hancock,  behind  the  breastworks.  To  add  to 
the  horror  of  this  avTul  day,  a fire  had  broken  out  in  the 
forest  destroying  many  men  whom  bullets  had  only  dis- 
abled. The  Federal  breastworks  became  wrapped  in  flame; 
Lee’s  men  pushed  their  advantage  and  drove  the  Federals  in 
confusion  before  them  but  were  in  turn  forced  to  retreat, 
being  attacked  by  Gibbon’s  division,  which  came  to  reinforce 
Hancock. 

General  Ewell,  protected  behind  his  breastworks,  had  re- 
pulsed the  repeated  attacks  of  Sedg^vick.  About  twilight 
the  impetuous  General  Gordon,  whose  star  began  now  to  shine 
with  marked  brilliancy  among  the  galaxy  of  Confederate  gen- 
erals, made  a sudden  attack  upon  the  extreme  right  of  Sedg- 
wick’s corps.  Generals  Seymour  and  Shaler  of  Eicketts’ 
division,  consisting  of  4000  men,  were  captured  and  a veritable 
panic  was  created  all  along  the  right  Aving.  The  density  of 
the  forest  and  the  darkness,  lighted  only  by  the  lurid  gloAV 
of  the  burning  AA’oods,  closed  this  most  heart  rending  day. 

Eesults : Indescribable  horror,  ovenvhelming  misery, 
coimtless  thousands, — dead  from  bullet  Avounds,  bayonet 
thrusts,  and  hand-to-hand  bloAvs, — lying  buried  in  the  depths 
of  the  tangled  underbrush  or  dying  in  raAunes,  suffocating  and 
burning  in  the  heated  blast  of  the  aftermath.  The  dry  narra- 
tive of  Federal  loss, — 269  officers  and  3019  soldiers  killed, 
15,420  wounded  and  missing, — or  the  Confederate  loss, — 
8000  killed  and  AA’ounded,—  only  adds  to  the  tragedy  a cold 
matter-of-fact  truth. 


260 


HISTOKY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAH 


ISTo  definite  results  were  accomplished  other  than  to  awaken 
the  hope  that  if  the  Federals  continued  to  be  killed  off  in  such 
large  numbers  Lee  might  have  to  contend  against  smaller  odds. 
Yo  such  battle  had  ever  been  fought  either  in  ancient  or 
modern  times. 


CHAPTER  XL 


MOVEMEI^T  TO  SPOTTSYL VANIA.  THE  BATTLE. 

Grant,  finding  it  impracticable  to  turn  Lee’s  right  wing, 
shortly  after  nightfall  of  the  7th  ordered  his  forces  to  march 
southeast  by  way  of  Chancellorsville  to  Spottyslvania  Court 
House.  Lee,  discovering  Grant’s  purpose,  ordered  Anderson, 
who  was  in  command  of  Longstreet’s  corps  to  hasten  toward 
Spottsylvania.  Warren’s  column,  of  Grant’s  advance,  was 
unavoidably  delayed,  and  when  the  Federals  arrived  at  8 
o’clock  on  Sunday  morning.  May  8,  there,  awaiting  them,  was 
Lee’s  army  between  Grant  and  Richmond. 

Sheridan’s  Raid. — On  May  9,  while  Grant  and  Lee  were 
making  the  movements  that  were  to  culminate  in  the  fearful 
and  bloody  battle  of  Spottsylvania,  Gen.  Phil.  Sheridan  with 
three  divisions  of  cavalry, — comprising  10,000  well-equipped 
men  under  Merritt,  Wilson,  and  Gregg, — set  out  to  destroy 
the  Virginia  Central  Railroad,  engage  the  Confederate  cav- 
alry, gather  supplies,  and  threaten  Richmond.  Crossing  the 
Po,  Ta,  and  Xorth  Anna,  Sheridan  captured  Beaver  Dam 
Station,  destroyed  several  miles  of  railroad  cars  with  large 
supplies  of  rations,  and  recaptured  several  hundred  Federal 
soldiers. 

At  Beaver  Dam  the  Federal  flank  and  rear  were  heavily 
engaged  and  sustained  considerable  loss  in  a fight  with  Gen. 
J.  E.  B.  Stuart’s  cavalry. 

Death  of  Gen.  J.  E.  B.  Stuart. — By  daylight  on  May  11 
Sheridan  had  passed  Ashland  Station,  while  Stuart  had  made 
a detour  and  placed  himself  between  Richmond  and  Sheridan 
at  Yellow  Tavern,  only  six  miles  north  of  the  Confederate 
capital.  With  a force  one-third  of  that  of  the  enemy  Stuart 

261 


263 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


engaged  tlie  Federal  army.  During  this  terrific  encounter  he 
was  mortally  wounded,  dying  the  following  day  at  Rich- 
mond. 

The  death  of  Stuart  was  an  irreparable  loss  to  Lee  and  to 
the  Confederacy.  He  was  the  eyes  and  ears  of  his  army. 
Ever  vigilant,  zealous  and  devoted  to  the  cause  he  fought  for, 
one  of  the  greatest  if  not  the  greatest  cavalry  leader  of  the 
civil  war.  General  Lee  in  his  report  of  May  20,  announcing 
Stuart’s  death,  said: 

General  Stuart  was  second  to  none  in  valor,  in  zeal  and 
unflinching  devotion  to  his  country.  His  achievements  form 
a conspicuous  part  of  the  history  of  this  army,  with  which 
his  name  and  services  will  be  forever  associated.  To  military 
capacity  of  a high  order  and  to  the  noble  virtues  of  a soldier, 
he  added  the  brightest  graces  of  a pure  life,  guided  and 
sustained  by  the  Christian  Faith  and  Hope.” 

On  j\Iay  11  Sheridan  reached  Hoxall  Landing,  obtained 
from  Butler  supplies,  and  rested  three  days;  then.  May  2.5, 
he  returned  by  White  and  Hanover  Court  House  to  join  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  having  materially  assisted  Grant 
by  his  operations. 

Alsop  Farm. — Anderson,  of  Longstreet’s  corps,  on  his  ar- 
rival outside  of  Spottsylvania  had  taken  a position  on  the 
crest  of  a hill  overlooking  the  open  ground,  known  as  Alsop’s 
Farm.  At  this  place  the  road  from  Todd’s  Tavern  forked, 
one  branch  leading  to  the  Court  House  and  the  other  to 
Laurel  Hill. 

At  8 o’clock,  Sunday  morning.  May  8,  Robinson’s  two 
brigades,  of  Warren’s  corps,  not  knowing  Anderson’s  posi- 
tion, were  preparing  to  cross  this  space  and  ascend  the  slope 
toward  Spottsylvania  when  the  Confederates  opened  on  them 
with  a terrific  fire  from  the  ridge.  The  Federals  were  much 
confused,  and  after  great  loss  in  the  short  space  of  half  an 


BATTLE  OF  SPOTTSYLVAEIA 


263 


hour,  fell  back  to  the  woods  for  protection.  Griffin’s  division 
was  also  repulsed,  and  not  until  Warren’s  entire  corps  had  ar- 
rived were  the  Eederals  able  to  dislodge  the  Confederates. 
The  Eederals  lost  in  killed  and  wounded  1300,  while  the 
Confederates’  loss  had  been  very  small. 

Warren  now  awaited  the  arrival  of  General  Sedgwick’s 
corps,  which  came  up  during  the  afternoon,  and  made  two 
assaults  on  the  Confederate  lines  near  sunset,  but  they  were 
unsuccessful.  The  8th  of  May  had  been  unfortunate  for  the 
Eederals;  for  Lee  was  well  intrenched  on  the  ridge  before 
Grant’s  army  at  Spottsylvania. 

On  the  morning  of  May  9 Hancock’s  large  corps  arrived. 
The  day  was  spent  by  both  armies  in  intrenching  and  pre- 
paring for  the  bloody  conflict  that  was  to  follow.  Burnside’s 
corps  occupied  the  left,  then  came  Sedgwick’s  and  Warren’s 
in  the  center,  Avith  Hancock’s  command  on  the  right.  From 
their  position  the  Confederate  sharpshooters  were  able  to 
considerably  annoy  the  Eederals. 

Death,  of  General  Sedgwick. — In  the  morning  General 
Sedgwick  and  some  of  his  staff  AA^ere  attending  to  the  posting 
of  guns.  He  had  just  made  a humorous  remark  concerning 
the  nervousness  of  some  of  his  men,  Avhen  a bullet  from  a 
Confederate  sharpshooter’s  gnn  pierced  his  face  just  beloAV 
the  left  eye,  causing  instant  death.  He  Avas  undoubtedly 
one  of  the  most  competent  and  timsted  generals  in  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac.  He  was  much  beloved  by  all  Avho  knew 
him  and  was  known  and  liked  by  Lee  and  others  on  the 
Confederate  side.  Gen.  Horatio  Wright  succeeded  to  tlie 
command  of  the  Sixth  Corps. 

Battle  of  May  10. — On  the  morning  of  May  10  General 
Hancock  made  an  attempt  to  cross  the  small  riAmr  Po,  but  an 
untimely  order  from  Meade  to  withdraw  left  Barlow’s  division 
on  the  south  side.  The  brigades  of  Brooks  and  Brown  Avere 
vigorously  attacked  by  part  of  General  Early’s  division  and 
forced  to  retire  after  a heavy  loss.  MeanAvhile  Warren  and 


264 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


W right  were  making  a general  advance  against  Laurel  Hill, — 
the  most  formidable  part  of  Lee’s  line.  Webb  and  Carrol 
had  made  the  attack  in  the  forenoon  Avithout  success. 

By  5 p.  m.  Hancock  had  united  his  corps  with  Warren, 
and  a general  assault  was  made;  but  it  resulted  only  in  a 
repulse  and  the  death  of  thousands  of  the  brave  Federals. 
An  even  more  determined  effort  was  made  before  dark  by  the 
F ederals  to  carry  the  position ; that  resulted  again  in  failure 
and  great  loss  of  life.  To  the  right  of  Wright’s  corps  Col. 
Emory  Upton,  with  tAvelve  regiments  had  made  a successful 
assarilt  on  a weak  point  in  the  Confederate  line,  capturing 
about  a thousand  men;  but  he  was  forced  to  retire.  This 
Avas  the  only  partial  success  the  Federals  obtained  during 
the  day,  which  had  cost  them  nearly  6000  men. 

There  Avas  no  fighting  on  Wednesday,  May  11.  Grant  sent 
this  message  along  with  his  other  reports  to  the  Secretary  of 
War:  “ I propose  to  fight  it  out  on  this  line,  if  it  takes  all 
summer.” 

During  the  night  of  the  11th  Grant  ordered  Hancock’s 
Avhole  corps  to  move  around  so  as  to  make  an  attack  in  the 
early  morning  on  Lee’s  right  and  center.  This  attack  was  to 
be  made  at  a point  Avhere  a salient  Avas  formed  and  held  by 
Johnson  of  EavoII’s  corps. 

Battle  of  May  12. — At  4 :30  a.  m.,  Burnside’s  Hinth 
Corps  and  Hancock’s  command  moved  to  the  attack  through  a 
thick  fog.  Barlow’s,  Bimey’s,  and  Mott’s  columns  led  the  ad- 
vance, with  Gibbon’s  in  reserve.  The  charge  was  made  up  a 
heavily-Avooded  slope;  the  attack  Avas  a complete  surprise  to 
the  Confederates  who,  Avith  desperate  valor, — fought  hand  to 
hand;  but  Johnson’s  brigade  and  that  of  George  H.  Stewart 
AA-ere  overcome.  The  Federals  had  captured  twenty  guns,  sev- 
eral thousand  small  arms  and  three  thousand  prisoners.  It 
was  a brilliant  and  gallant  coup, — a splendid  beginning  for 
the  Federals.  General  Wright  had  not  been  so  successful. 
Lee  now  concentrated  his  efforts  to  dislodge  Hancock. 


BATTLE  OF  SPOTTSYLVAA^A 


265 


This  famous  salient  was  afterward  known  as  “ the  bloody 
angle.”  It  was  one  of  the  most  stubborn  and  sanguinary 
points  of  contest  of  any  battle  during  the  great  war.  Whole 
companies  and  regiments  on  both  sides  were  disorganized. 
Lee  was  resolved  to  recapture  the  salient  to  which  Hancock 
had  been  forced  to  retire,  and  Grant  had  practically  concen- 
trated his  whole  army  to  hold  this  point.  The  awful  tide 
of  battle  rolled  and  surged  for  twenty  hours,  and  only  mid- 
night closed  tLe  fearful  combat.  Trees  were  literally  cut 
down  by  the  terrible  rain  of  cannon  shot  and  musketry  fire. 

It  was  not  a victory  of  decisive  character  for  either  side. 
Hancock  held  the  position  within  300  yards  of  the  Confed- 
erates’ works, — a position  he  had  taken  in  the  early  morning. 
The  Federals  lost  in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing  about 
10,000.  The  loss  of  the  Confederates  was:  killed  and 
wounded,  6000 ; prisoners,  3000.  Lee’s  position  was  still  as 
strong  as  before. 

The  rain,  which  had  now  set  in  continued  to  fall  for  two 
days,  and  there  was  no  farther  fighting  of  a general  character 
at  Spottsylvania. 

In  the  nine  days  since  the  Federal  army  had  crossed  the 
Eapidan  it  had  lost  in  killed  and  wounded  30,368  men,  with 
5,640  missing  and  prisoners, — a total  of  36,008.  Ho  definite 
result  had  been  accomplished.  Grant  could  fill  his  losses 
with  fresh  men,  but  the  dead  in  Lee’s  army  could  not  be  re- 
placed. The  Confederacy  was  becoming  exhausted  by  the 
hammering  and  could  not  well  afford  to  lose  one  for  even 
two  or  three. 

From  the  13th  to  the  18th  of  May  the  two  armies  re- 
mained confronting  each  other.  Grant  continually  tried  to 
overlap  Lee  on  the  right,  but  each  move  was  met  in  front 
with  breastworks  and  successfully  repulsed  assaults. 

On  May  19  Grant  prepared  to  make  a movement  toward 
Horth  Anna.  His  plans  were  discerned  by  the  ever-vigilant 
Lee,  who  sent  Ewell  during  the  afternoon  to  make  a demon- 


266 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


stration  against  the  Eederals’  right.  Gen.  R.  0.  Tyler  was 
in  command  of  this  flank.  This  demonstration  delayed 
Grant’s  movements  until  the  20th.  Grant  had  lost  since 
the  12th  of  May  some  7000  men,  making  a total  of  43,008 
men  in  two  weeks. 

Beauregard  Baffles  Butler. — General  Butler, — who 
with  30,000  men  was  to  cooperate  with  Grant  in  his  advance 
toward  Richmond, — reached  Bermuda  Hundred  on  May  7 at 
the  same  time  that  the  van  of  General  Beauregard’s  army 
reached  Petersburg.  Butler  had  been  very  confident  of  his 
ability  to  keep  Beauregard  from  cooperating  with  Lee,  and,  in 
fact,  felt  as  if  he  were  about  equally  able  to  contest  with  Lee. 
By  May  12  Butler’s  column  was  within  9 miles  of  Richmond 
after  a march  during  which  several  small  conflicts  had  oc- 
curred between  the  two  forces.  The  Confederate  defenses 
were  apparently  so  strong  that  the  Eederals  decided  to  wait 
until  the  16th  to  make  the  assault. 

The  night  of  May  15  was  clear;  the  moon  shone  brightly 
over  the  Federal  camp. 

It  was  not  until  near  dawn  that  a heavy  mist,  floating  from 
the  river,  covered  the  ground  where  the  Confederates  were 
situated.  Beauregard  had  been  carefully  studying  the  posi- 
tion of  the  Federals.  Butler’s  right  flank  lacked  a mile  of 
reaching  the  James,  and  the  Confederates’  purpose  was  to 
turn  Smith  on  the  Federals’  right  flank  and  cut  off  the  rear. 
The  attack  was  well  timed  and  sudden,  bringing  disaster  and 
defeat  to  Butler’s  army.  The  retreat  was,  however,  effected 
by  the  timely  arrival  of  Ames’  division  of  Gilmore’s  corps. 

This  fight  had  occurred  at  Drewry’s  Bluff.  The  Confed- 
erates’ forces  aggregated  15,000;  the  Federals’,  30,000.  The 
Federals  were  cooped  up  between  the  forks  of  the  James  and 
Appomattox  and  prevented  from  advancing  nearer  to  Rich- 
mond. Butler  had  lost  4000  men ; the  Confederates,  3000. 

Later  Butler  sent  two-thirds  of  his  army  to  join  Grant  on 
the  Chickahominy. 


CHAPTER  XLI 


MIXITAKY  ilOVEMBYTS  IX  THE  KAXAWHA  VAEEEY  AND  THE 
SHENANDOAH 

General  Cook  had  command  at  this  time  of  the  Federal 
forces  in  the  Kanaivha  Valley,  ivith  Averill  in  command 
of  the  cavalry.  On  Hay  10,  with  2000  cavalrymen,  Averill 
moved  toward  TTytheyville  and  ISTew  Bridge,  destroying  a 
large  part  of  the  Tennessee  and  Virginia  Railroad  (May  19). 
lie  was  defeated  by  Morgan,  but  at  length  rejoined  Crook 
at  Union.  Crook,  with  6000  infantry  had  a hard  fight  near 
Dublin  Station  with  the  Confederates  under  McCausland, 
and  lost  about  700  men. 

Sigel  Defeated  at  New  Market. — On  May  15  Sigel  ivas 
attacked  at  Xew  Market  and  after  a severe  loss  of  700  men, 
G field  pieces,  and  1000  small  arms,  fled  before  Breckinridge 
as  far  as  Cedar  Creek,  near  Strasburg.  General  Hunter, 
who  had  been  in  command  in  the  Carolinas,  superseded  Sigel 
in  this  command. 

Hunter  in  the  Valley. — In  June,  1861,  the  Confederate 
forces  west  of  the  Blue  Ridge  were  small.  General  Jones 
and  General  McCausland  were  in  command,  for  Breckin- 
ridge had  been  recalled  to  aid  Lee  in  the  defense  of  Rich- 
mond. 

General  Grant  ordered  Hunter  with  9000  men  to  move  upon 
Staunton.  On  June  5 at  Piedmont,  near  Middle  River,  they 
had  a fiercely  contested  battle  with  the  forces  under  Jones 
and  McCausland,  in  which  the  Confederates  Avei’e  defeated, 
General  Jones  was  killed,  1500  men  were  captured,  and  3 
pieces  of  artillery  were  taken. 

On  June  8 Crook  united  his  forces  with  Hunter’s,  making 

267 


268 


HISTOKY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAH 


an  army  of  18,000.  Hnnter  now  moved  by  way  of  Lex- 
ington toward  Lynchburg.  Grant  had  expected  him  to  join 
Sheridan  at  Gordonsville.  On  June  16  Lee  had  sent  General 
Early  to  intercept  Hunter’s  movement  against  Lynchburg. 
Hunter  was  unable  to  attain  any  success  in  the  assault  against 
Lynchburg  and  on  Jime  18  began  a retreat  toward  Salem. 

On  June  19  General  Early  attacked  the  retreating  Eed- 
erals,  taking  13  guns.  He  had  expected  to  get  supplies  for 
his  army  at  Meadow  Eidge,  but  all  the  stores  had  been  cap- 
tured. It  was  not  until  June  27,  after  nine  days  of  great 
suffering,  that  Hunter  was  able  to  obtain  supplies  at  Gauley 
River.  At  the  end  of  a long  and  severe  march  he  reached  the 
upper  Potomac.  Early  now  moved  down  the  Shenandoah  to- 
ward Maryland  and  Pennsylvania. 

Butler,  Sigel,  and  Hunter  had  signally  failed  in  their  main 
purposes,  but  they  had  accomplished  much;  for  with  every 
railroad  destroyed,  all  provisions  burned,  many  prisoners 
captured  and  numberless  men  placed  hors  de  combat  the 
South  was  greatly  weakened. 


CHAPTEK  XLII 


GKA:S"r’s  MOVEME]!fTS  AFTER  SPOTTSYLVANLl.  COED  HARBOR 

On  the  night  of  j\Iay  20  Grant  ordered  his  forces  to  move 
tovard  Bovling.  Hancock  who  led  the  advance  crossed  the 
Hattapony  Eiver  at  Hilford’s  Bridge  and  abont  a mile  from 
the  river  formed  a line  of  battle  on  a small  range  of  hills. 
General  Lee  had  sent  Longstreet  in  advance  and,  being  on 
the  inside  line,  by  the  afternoon  of  Hay  23  had  reached  the 
Xorth  Anna,  crossed  it,  and  made  a line  of  defense  on  the 
south  side  of  the  stream. 

The  lines  formed  by  Lee  were  remarkably  strong.  They 
consisted  of  two  long  lines  converging  in  an  apex  at  the  river. 
Lee’s  army  was  here  reinforced  by  Breckinridge  and  Pickett, 
with  their  divisions,  and  by  Hoke  with  his  brigade  of  Early’s 
division  (abont  7500  rnen), — the  first  reinforcement  since 
Grant  began  his  campaigH. 

Grant  had  made  two  crossings  of  the  river,  one  by  Han- 
cock, near  the  Eichmond  and  Potomac  Bridges,  called 
“ Taylor’s  Bridge.”  This  crossing  was  begain  near  sundown, 
and  was  effected  after  a loss  of  about  200  men  by  the  Federals 
and  about  50  by  the  Confederates. 

Warren  and  Wright  crossed  at  Jericho  Eord  without  op- 
position ; but  were  attacked  with  considerable  energy  by  Col- 
onel Brown  and  part  of  Wilson’s  division  of  Hill’s  corps,  later 
assisted  by  Heth’s  division.  Warren  lost  350  men,  but  re- 
pulsed the  Confederates  and  captured  1000  men. 

The  center,  under  Burnside,  made  an  attempt  on  the  24th 
to  cross  the  river,  but  was  unable  to  effect  a crossing  without 
a great  loss.  Grant  was  completely  checkmated  and  on  the 
night  of  the  26th  ordered  his  army  corps  to  recross  to  the 

269 


270 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


north  side  of  the  North  Anna  and  head  toward  the  east,  so  as 
to  cross  the  Pamunkey,  which  is  formed  by  the  junction  of  the 
North  and  South  Anna.  On  the  morning  of  Saturday,  May 
28,  Grant’s  anny  crossed  the  Pamunkey  at  Hanoverton, — 15 
miles  from  Eichmond  and  16  miles  from  White  House,  his 
new  basis  of  supplies  on  the  York  Eiver. 

On  the  29th  Grant’s  army  advanced  about  three  miles. 
Hancock’s  corps  marched  toward  Tolopotomy  Creek,  with 
Warren’s  on  the  left  toward  Shady  Grove  Church  and 
AVright’s  toward  Hanover  Court  House.  On  May  30  Gen. 
Baldy  Smith  reached  AVhite  House  preparatory  to  forming  a 
junction  with  Grant.  On  May  31  Sheridan  captured  Old 
Cold  Harbor.  In  order  to  hold  it  it  w^as  necessary  for  Wright 
and  Smith  to  hasten  to  his  aid  with  their  corps  on  the  1st  of 
June.  The  Federal  loss  on  that  day  was  2000. 

Cold  Harbor. — It  W'as  Thursday  morning,  June  2.  The 
great  ai*my  of  Grant,  consisting  of  113,000  men,  faced 
Lee’s  army  of  58,000  on  the  old  battle-gi’ound  over  which 
Lee  and  McClellan  had  fought  two  years  before. 

Grant’s  line  of  battle  extended  from  Tolopotomy  Creek  by 
Bethesda  Church  and  from  Cold  Harbor  to  the  Chickahominy 
Eiver.  Sheridan,  Avith  a A^ery  large  body  of  cavalry,  Avas 
guarding  the  left  flank  of  the  army  and  the  lower  fords  of 
the  river  as  far  as  AVhite  House.  AVilson’s  cavalry  guarded 
the  right  flank.  Hancock’s  corps  w'as  on  the  left,  then  came 
AA’^right  and  Smith,  Avith  Waiwen  and  Buimside  on  the  right. 
Lee’s  army  Avas  strongly  intrenched,  wdth  A.  P.  Hill  on  the 
right,  Longstreet  in  the  center,  and  Ew'ell  on  the  left,  facing 
Burnside.  Lee  noAV  held  the  ground  that  McClellan  had  held 
tAvo  years  before.  A heavy  storm  prevented  Grant  from 
attacking  on  the  eA^ening  of  June  2.  His  order  Avas  to  attack 
all  along  the  line  at  4:30  a.  m.,  June  3. 

Battle,  June  3. — At  the  early  hour  of  daAvn  the  Federal 
army  began  the  foi’Avard  movement.  Through  a drizzling 
rain  the  great  army  moved  SAviftly  tOAvard  the  intrenchments 


COLD  HAEBOR 


271 


of  the  Confederates,  who  were  fully  prepared  to  meet  them. 
A massed  attack  was  made  by  the  Federals  apparently  without 
looking  for  the  weak  points  in  the  Confederate  line.  Han- 
cock on  the  left,  according  to  orders,  sent  Barlow’s  division 
forw^ard  in  double  line  of  battle,  but  after  some  small  success 
vnth  the  first  line  he  wms  fearfully  repulsed  before  the  second 
line  had  come  up'.  Hill’s  men  rallied  in  a strong  position  and 
drove  Barlow’s  division  back.  Gibbon’s  division  advanced  but 
was  checked  by  a swamp  and  by  the  destructive  firing  in  their 
faces,  and  after  great  loss  fell  back.  Hancock  in  the  short 
space  of  half  an  hour  lost  about  3000  men.  Wright  and 
Smith,  in  the  center,  had  no  better  success  in  their  endeavor, 
losing  as  many  as  the  left  coi’ps;  while  the  effoids  of  Waiwen 
and  Burnside  Avere  equally  as  futile.  Wilson’s  cavalry  was 
badly  beaten  by  Wade  Hampton. 

General  Grant,  after  the  first  terrible  repulse,  made  an 
inspection  and  ordered  the  attack  to  be  renewed  and  Meade 
sent  the  communication  to  the  corps  commanders.  But  it 
met  Avith  a positive  refusal  from  Gen.  Baldy  Smith,  nor  was 
any  advance  made  by  the  others ; for  it  was  clear  enough 
that  obedience  meant  only  a useless  slaughter  of  men. 

The  firing  had  practically  ceased  at  7 :30  a.  m.,  by  Avhich 
time  there  had  fallen  from  the  Federal  ranks  the  astounding 
number  of  12,000  men.  Lee’s  loss  had  been  very  small  in 
comparison. 

There  were  only  skirmishes  for  the  next  three  days. 
On  the  7th  of  June  a truce  Avas  made  for  a feAV  hours  be- 
tAveen  the  tAvo  armies  that  they  might  bury  their  dead. 

Of  this  battle  General  Grant  said : Cold  Harbor  is  the 

only  battle  I ever  fought  that  I Avould  not  fight  over  again 
under  the  circumstances.” 

Grant’s  Movement  Across  the  Chickahominy  and  the 
James. — On  June  7 Grant  sent  Sheridan  Avith  the  divisions 
of  Torbert  and  Gregg  to  destroy  the  railroad  bridges  in  Lee’s 
rear.  The  railroad  at  Chesterville  Station  Avas  destroyed, 


272 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


also  part  of  the  Virginia  Central  at  Trevillian  Station,  where 
Torbert  had  a severe  encounter  with  Wade  Hampton’s  cavalry. 
At  Louisa  Court  House  the  engagement  was  renewed,  and 
Sheridan  was  forced  to  retreat  by  Spottsylvania  and  rejoin 
Grant’s  army. 

Grant,  after  the  great  disaster  of  Cold  Harbor,  saw  the 
insurmountable  difficulties  in  the  way  of  capturing  Richmond 
by  the  Peninsular  route.  On  Sunday  night,  June  12  he  be- 
gan his  movements  for  the  purpose  of  crossing  the  James 
River. 

Lee  was  not  unaware  of  Grant’s  movement,  but  he  felt 
so  confident  after  Cold  Harbor  that  he  Avould  be  able  to  check 
Grant’s  advance  toward  Richmond  that  he  first  sent  Breckin- 
ridge into  the  valley  to  check  Hunter  and  on  the  13th  for- 
Avarded  General  Early’s  division  of  8000  men  and  24:  pieces 
of  artillery  to  join  him.  Lee  then  crossed  the  James  River 
near  Drewry’s  Bluff. 

By  noon  of  the  16  th  Grant’s  Avhole  army,  without  meeting 
with  any  reverses,  had  crossed  the  James  at  Windmill  Point, 
8 miles  beloAv  Bermuda  Hundred. 

Results  of  Grant’s  Campaign  After  Crossing  the 
Rapidan. — In  forty-three  days  an  army  averaging  always 
more  than  110,000  men  had  been  pushing  its  way  through 
wildernesses  and  SAvamps ; crossing  unfordable  riA^ers ; assault- 
ing intrenchments  and  breastAvorks  defended  by  an  army  of 
from  55,000  to  70,000  men, — Avhose  morale  was  as  good 
as  any  the  world  has  ever  seen  and  commanded  by  a 
chieftain  and  lieutenants,  who  have  few  equals  in  the  pages 
of  history.  Only  by  a constant  supply  of  provisions  and  re- 
inforcements could  such  a military  movement  have  been  made. 
Grant’s  tactics  have  been  severely  criticized  on  account  of  his 
useless  slaughter  of  men.  By  vastly  superior  numbers  only 
could  he  have  sustained  the  fearful  loss.  Breastworks  and  in- 
trenchments had  been  repeatedly  assailed  Avith  terrible  slaugh- 
ter just  as  General  Lee  had  planned.  Sixty  thousand  soldiers 


COLD  HAEBOE 


273 


had  fallen  from  the  rants  of  the  Federal  army, — a number 
that  equalled  the  total  fighting  force  of  the  Confederates.  Lee 
had  lost  about  25,000  men, — taking  an  average  figure  of  the 
best  authorities.  The  Confederates  had  scarcely  been  able  to 
replace  their  loss;  and  there  were  still  to  be  ten  months  of 
warfare  and  suffering.  During  this  campaign  Grant  had 
at  his  command  192,000  men,  while  Lee’s  forces  from 
the  Wildemess  to  Cold  Harbor  had  aggregated  78,000.  A 
splendid  commentary  upon  the  skill  of  Lee  as  a commander 
and  the  fortitude  of  the  Southern  soldiers. 


CHAPTER  XLIII 


GRANT  ESTABLISHES  HIMSELF  BEFORE  PETERSBURG 

Grant  had  expected  to  make  an  easy  capture  of  Petersburg, 
but  by  the  delay  of  his  lieutenants  he  Avas  forestalled  by  Eeau- 
regard,  Aidio  Avas  reinforced  by  Lee. 

Petersburg,  the  objective  of  Grant’s  immediate  move,  Avas 
the  key  to  southern  railroad  communication  Avith  Richmond. 
It  Avas  a city  of  18,000'  population,  situated  on  the  south 
bank  of  the  Appomattox,  22  miles  south  of  Richmond,  and 
10  miles  from  City  Point  on  the  James.  Five  railroads 
from  southern  points  converged  there:  the  Weldon,  running 
into  the  Carolinas ; the  Norfolk ; a short  road  to  City  Point, 
and  the  South  Side  running  to  Lynchburg.  A strong  series 
of  intrenchments  and  redoubts  protected  the  toAvn. 

Beauregard  Saves  Petersburg. — June  15,  at  Y p.  m.. 
General  Smith  Avith  his  18,000  men  had  driven  back  the  2200 
Confederates  occupying  the  outer  Avorks  on  the  northeast  side 
of  the  toAvn.  The  corps  commanded  by  Hancock  and  Burn- 
side began  to  arrive  during  the  morning  of  the  16th,  and 
at  6 p.  m.,  a combined  attack  Avas  begun  by  the  Eederals,  Avho 
numbered  about  50,000  to  Avhom  Avas  opposed  Beauregard 
in  command  of  10,000  Confederates.  The  Federal  attack 
Avas  repelled  after  a loss  of  2000  of  their  men. 

On  the  lYth,  at  4 a m.,  the  attack  Avas  reneAved  by  Potter’s 
division  of  Burnside’s  corps,  Avhich  met  Avith  some  success. 
During  the  afternoon,  Avhen  Warren’s  corps  came  up  to  re- 
inforce Burnside  and  the  attacks  Avere  renewed,  the  position 
of  the  Confederates  Avould  have  been  precarious  but  for  the 
timely  arrival  of  a fine  brigade  under  General  Grade.  These 
men  overleaped  the  breastAvorks  captured  by  Burnside,  drove 

274 


GEANT  BEFORE  PETERSBURG  375 

out  the  Eederals,  and  captured  two  thousand  Federal  sol- 
diers. 

On  June  18  Beauregard  had  command  of  20,000  men  and 
was  able  to  repel  the  repeated  assaults  of  the  Eederals,  whose 
forces  had  now  increased  to  nearly  90,000.  The  fighting 
continued  until  after  nightfall.  Since  the  15th  the  Federal 
losses  had  been  very  heavy,  due  to  repeated  assaults  on 
intrenched  positions.  Between  8000  and  9000  soldiers  had 
been  killed,  Avounded  or  made  prisoners. 

The  Eederals  noAv  gave  up  the  idea  of  capturing  Petersburg 
by  direct  assault. 

An  attempt  AA-as  made  by  the  Second  and  Sixth  Corps  of 
the  Federal  army  from  June  21-25  to  destroy  the  Weldon 
Railroad.  The  movement  Avas  badly  managed,  for  a gap  Avas 
left  between  the  two  divisions  in  the  afternoon,  and  A.  P. 
Hill,  with  a strong  force  made  a sudden  and  impetuous  attack 
iipon  the  diA’isions  of  Gibbon’s,  Barlow  and  Mott.  Great  con- 
fusion prevailed,  whole  regiments  were  captured  without  a 
chance  to  fight,  and  -1  guns,  60  officers,  and  over  2000  men 
Avere  taken,  while  500  to  600  were  killed  or  wounded.  This 
occurred  during  the  evening  of  June  22. 

Wilson’s  Raid.— At  2 a.  m.,  June  22,  Wilson  and  Kantz, 
AAuth  8000  cavalry  and  16  guns,  set  out  to  cooperate  with  the 
Second  and  Sixth  Corps  in  their  efforts  to  destroy  the  Weldon 
Railroad  and  the  supplies  of  the  Confederates.  Several  hun- 
dred yards  of  the  track  Avere  tom  up  at  Reams  Station,  and 
Avater  tanks,  depots,  and  other  supplies  Avere  also  destroyed. 
The  force  moved  by  Dinwiddie  Court  House,  thence  north 
to  Sutherland  Station  on  the  Petersburg  and  Lynchburg  Rail- 
road. At  Ford’s  Station,  about  21  miles  from  Petersburg, 
depots  and  stores  were  destroyed  as  well  as  several  cars  and 
locomotiA’es.  At  Wilson  Station  Kantz’s  advance  destroyed 
similar  property. 

By  3 p.  m.,  June  25,  the  advance  of  the  Eederals  came  up 
to  the  covered  bridge  over  the  Staunton  River.  The  Confed- 


276 


mSTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


erates  had  collected  here  a large  force  of  militia,  and  they 
checked  the  raiders,  who  were  forced  to  withdraw.  The  Con- 
federate cavalry  on  the  26th  and  28th  greatly  harassed  Kantz’s 
advance,  and  chased  them  almost  into  the  Federal  lines  be- 
fore Petersburg,  At  Eeams  Station  Kantz  was  badly  used 
up  and  General  Wilson’s  effort  on  his  arrival  to  form  a line 
of  battle  was  futile.  It  was  July  1 before  he  was  able  to 
conduct  his  scattered  and  worn  cavalrymen  in  safety  to  the 
Federal  lines,  the  ISTottaway  Eiver  having  been  crossed  30 
miles  from  Petersburg  by  way  of  Cabin  Point.  Wilson  had 
lost  all  of  his  16  guns,  the  whole  wagon-train,  and  1500  prison- 
ers, while  all  his  sick  and  wounded  were  left  at  Eeams  Sta- 
tion. The  whole  force  was  in  a pitiful  condition,  Gen,  Wade 
Hampton  and  Gen.  Fitzhugh  Lee  had,  with  a much  smaller 
force,  brought  this  disaster  upon  Wilson’s  regiments. 


CHAPTER  XLIV 

EARL.y’s  movement  in  the  VALEEiY 

Before  entering  upon  a narrative  of  the  long,  tedious  siege 
of  Petersburg  by  Grant,  onr  attention  must  be  turned  to  the 
last  important,  tragic  and  dramatic  effort  of  Lee,  by  bis  Lieu- 
tenant-Gen. Jubal  Early  to  divert  Grant  in  bis  purpose  be- 
fore Petersburg.  Early’s  campaign  in  the  Shenandoah 
Valley, — a campaign  that  carried  him  -within  sight  of  the 
breast-vmrks  and  fortifications  of  Washington, — bis  forced 
retreat,  and  complete  discomfiture  in  the  face  of  overwhelm- 
ing odds,  -was  no  reflection  on  his  ability,  but  only  another 
symptom  of  the  dying  struggle  of  a brave  foe. 

Just  previous  to  Early’s  movement  into  the  Valley,  Gen- 
eral Burhridge,  the  Federal  commander  in  Kentucky,  pre- 
pared to  cooperate  with  Hunter  by  moving  into  the 
southwestern  part  of  Virginia. 

Gen.  J.  H.  Morgan’s  Last  Campaign. — With  a view  to 
thwarting  the  purpose  of  Burhridge,  Morgan  made  a sudden 
dash  into  Kentucky  through  Pound  Gap,  Pointsville,  and 
Owensville  to  Maysville,  capturing  large  supplies,  and  on  the 
8th  of  June  at  Mount  Sterling  he  captured  several  hundred 
Federal  soldiers.  He  now  moved  toward  Lexington,  but  on 
June  15  near  Cynthiana,  close  to  the  Kentucky  Central  Rail- 
road at  Licking  River,  he  was  surprised  by  General  Burhridge 
-with  a force  of  5000  men.  Morgan’s  command  of  1200  men 
was  nearly  out  of  ammunition  and,  becoming  utterly  demoral- 
ized, fled  across  the  river  and  made  their  retreat  toward  the 
mountains.  The  purpose  of  the  campaign  which  was  to  pre- 
vent Burbridge’s  junction  with  Hunter,  had  been  accom- 
plished. 


277 


278 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


The  dashing  career  of  General  Morgan  was  soon  to  be 
ended.  Many  slanders  clouded  his  name;  bitter  enemies 
branded  him  a bank  robber  and  a bold,  cruel,  guerilla 
chieftain,  but  careful  investigation  since  has  revealed  none 
of  these  charges  to  be  true,  and  to-day  the  people  of  the 
whole  South  as  well  as  those  of  his  native  State  honor  him  as 
one  of  their  noblest  sons.  While  making  his  headquarters 
(September  3)  at  Greenville,  Tennessee,  at  the  house  of  a Mrs. 
AVilliams,  he  w^as  betrayed  by  one  of  the  inmates ; at  daybreak 
a strong  body  of  Federals  surrounded  the  place  while  his 
troops  were  camped  on  the  outskirts  of  the  town.  In  endeav- 
oring to  make  his  escape  he  was  captured  and  soon  after- 
ward shot,  then  carried  through  the  village  across  a mule’s 
back.  General  Gillim,  in  command  of  the  Federal  forces  see- 
ing the  indignities,  recovered  the  body  on  a road  one  mile 
from  town.  It  was  covered  with  mud  and  scarcely  recog- 
nizable. Under  an  escort  and  a flag  of  truce  he  returned  the 
body  of  Morgan  to  the  Confederates,  and  he  was  buried  at 
Abingdon,  Va.,  and  later  in  the  cemetery  at  Richmond.  Such 
are  some  of  the  evils  resulting  from  internecine  warfare. 

General  Lee  Dispatches  Early  Down  the  Valley. — 
The  discomfiture  and  retreat  of  Hunter  and  Burbridge’s  fail- 
ure to  make  a junction  with  him  left  the  Shenandoah  ex- 
posed and  the  back  door  of  Washington  open. 

It  was  a bold  conception  of  Lee’s  to  send  Early  from  his 
army  around  Richmond  while  he  was  facing  Grant  with  an 
army  of  115,000  men. 

Despite  the  hot  weather.  Early  with  20,000  men  pushed 
fonvard  so  rapidly  that  by  July  3 he  had  reached  Martins- 
burg,  driving  Sigel  across  the  river,  and  had  captured  the 
trains  full  of  supplies  destined,  as  was  hoped, — for  Hunter’s 
famished  army.  Almost  a panic  ensued  in  the  surrounding 
country.  The  President  issued  a special  call  for  25,000 
militia  from  Hew  York,  Pennsylvania  and  Massachusetts. 

These  movements  had  forced  General  Grant  to  forward 


EAELY’S  MOVEMENT  IN  THE  VALLEY  279 


to  Washington  the  Sixth  and  Nineteenth  Army  Corps.  This 
lightened  the  strain  on  Lee.  Rickett’s  division  was  the  ad- 
vance force  and  reached  Washington  the  night  of  July  6. 

July  9.  Battle  at  Monocacy  Bridge. — On  July  5 Gen. 
Lew  Wallace,  with  all  the  available  troops  he  could  muster, 
took  position  at  Monocacy  Bridge  on  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio 
Railroad ; he  was  joined  here  by  Rickett’s  division  on  the 
8th.  The  Eederals  had  10  gams,  8000  infantry,  and  a small 
body  of  cavalry.  At  9 a.  m.,  July  9,  General  Early,  with 
16  gims  and  10,000  men  attacked  Wallace  and  after  seven 
hours  of  severe  fighting  drove  him  in  retreat  toward  Balti- 
more. The  Eederals  lost  2000  men,  but  the  delay  and  ex- 
haustion of  the  Confederates  gave  time  for  Wright’s  division 
and  Emoiw’s  of  the  Nineteenth  Corps  to  reach  Washington. 

On  July  10  Early  reached  Rockville  toward  evening  with 
8000  infantry  and  2000  cavalry.  The  march  of  250  to  300 
miles  in  twelve  days  necessitated  a rest  for  a day.  This  al- 
lowed the  Federal  troops  time  to  concentrate  in  the  capital. 
On  the  12th  Early  moved  cautiously  to  within  4 miles  of 
Washington.  A severe  skirmish  occurred  at  Fort  Stevens, 
the  loss  on  both  sides  being  300  men.  Aware  that  large 
forces  Avere  entering  Washington,  Early  began  a retreat  across 
the  Potomac  at  EdAvards  Ferry  on  the  night  of  the  12th, 
carrying  Avith  him  a large  quantity  of  supplies,  2000  cattle 
and  5000  horses.  After  considerable  skirmishing  without 
any  serious  loss  he  reached  Strasburg  July  22. 

"Kernstown,  July  24. — On  July  24  at  IvernstoAvn,  4 miles 
south  of  Winchester  a battle  took  place  between  Crook  and 
his  tAvo  diAusions  of  infantrjq  supported  by  Averill’s  and 
Duffie’s  caA-alry,  and  Early’s  army.  The  Eederals  were  badly 
beaten  and  driven  through  Winchester  toward  Bunker  Hill, 
sustaining  a loss  of  1200  men.  On  the  26th  they  crossed 
the  Potomac  into  Maryland. 

Early  noAv  had  full  possession  of  the  Valley  and  placed  his 
army  on  the  Opequon  Creek.  The  result  of  Lee’s  strategy 


280 


HISTOET  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


caused  40,000  men  to  be  sent  from  bis  front,  but  be  did 
not  have  sufficient  men  to  spare  to  prevent  dire  disaster  from 
falling  upon  Early. 

A small  raid  to  Cbambersburg  by  McCausland, — in  wbicb 
tbe  town  was  burned,  J uly  29, — and  other  raids  by  Mosby 
along  tbe  Potomac  kept  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania  in  a 
ferment  of  excitement. 

Grant  now  determined  to  send  a large  army  under  Sheri- 
dan to  destroy  Early’s  army  and  everything  in  the  valley  that 
might  be  of  use  to  the  Southern  army.  This  consisted  of  the 
Sixth  Corps  under  Wright,  the  Nineteenth  Corps  under 
Emory,  the  Eighth  Corps,  under  Crook,  Averill’s  cavalry,  Wil- 
son’s cavalry,  and  the  first  division  of  the  Potomac  Cavalry. 
Sheridan  had  at  his  command  85,000  infantry  with  twenty 
guns,  and  10,000  cavalry.  In  addition  there  were  7000  men 
in  the  garrisons  at  Martinsburg  and  Harper’s  Ferry  and 
other  points  to  aid  him.  To  oppose  this  formidable  army 
and  to  save  Petersburg,  Lee  sent  Anderson,  of  Longstreet’s 
old  corps,  with  one  division  of  infantry  and  cavalry  to  Early’s 
assistance.  The  cavalry  was  commanded  by  Fitzhugh  Lee. 


CHAPTER  XLV 


SHERIDAN  AGAINST  EAEEY  IN  THE  VALLEY 

Sheridan,  who  had  concentrated  his  forces  at  Halltown, 
four  miles  west  of  Harper’s  Ferry,  began  at  sunrise,  August 
10,  a movement  of  the  army  toward  Charlestown,  which 
they  reached  in  two  hours.  The  Federal  cavalry  under 
Custer  and  Gibbs,  had  a skirmish  with  the  Confederates  near 
Berryville.  On  the  11th  the  Federal  army  continued  its  ad- 
vance up  the  valley,  while  Early  retreated  slowly  before  them. 
Another  sharp  skirmish  occurred  four  miles  east  of  Winches- 
ter, at  Sulphur  Springs  Bridge.  Custer  was  driven  back. 
The  Confederates  were  able  to  protect  their  wagon-trains, 
allowing  them  to  pass  onward  to  Strasburg.  On  the 
12th  the  Federal  army  bivouacked  on  the  east  side  of  Cedar 
Creek,  while  on  the  13th  Early’s  army  withdrew  from 
Strasburg  to  Fisher’s  Hill. 

On  the  13th,  while  Sheridan’s  army  was  occupying  parts 
of  Strasburg,  General  Mosby  had  unexpectedly  attacked  the 
rear  of  the  Federal  wagon-train  near  Berryville,  about  four 
miles  from  Snicker’s  Gap.  Seventy-five  wagons,  200  prison- 
ers, 600  horses  and  mules,  and  200  head  of  beeves  were  cap- 
tured. It  being  reported  that  Longstreet’s  corps  was  in  the 
rear,  Sheridan,  on  August  15,  ordered  a retreat  of  his  whole 
army.  A small  fight  occurred  at  Crooked  Run  near  the  junc- 
tion of  the  forks  of  the  Shenandoah  River. 

On  August  17  Early  began  to  receive  reinforcements  under 
Fitzhugh  Lee,  Anderson  and  Kershaw. 

Early  now  followed  Sheridan’s  retreating  army,  capturing 
a number  of  prisoners,  and  causing  considerable  trepidation 
in  the  northern  part  of  Virginia  and  in  Maryland.  By  the 

281 


282 


IIISTOEY  or  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


21st  Sheridan  again  occupied  Ilalltown,  his  right  flank  resting 
on  the  Potomac  and  his  left  on  the  Shenandoah. 

The  Confederate  cavalry  ranged  from  Winchester  to  Shep- 
herdstown.  A number  of  cavalry  skirmishes  ensued  without 
any  definite  results.  On  the  25  th  Custer  was  driven  across 
the  Potomac  at  Shepherdstown. 

By  September  3 Sheridan  had  again  advanced  his  ai*my 
as  far  as  Berryville,  where  breastworks  were  thrown  up; 
but  with  the  exception  of  skiimishing,  no  engagements  of 
importance  occurred. 

A misunderstanding  had  occurred  between  Anderson  and 
Early  as  to  which  was  the  ranking  officer. 

Instead  of  an  offensive  campaign  a month  passed  without 
anything  definite  being  done  to  cause  Grant  to  send  more 
troops  from  Lee’s  front. 

On  September  15,  according  to  orders,  Anderson,  wdth  Ker- 
shaw’s division  moved  off  toward  Culpeper  preparatory  to 
rejoining  Lee  before  Petersburg. 

Early  was  now  in  the  vicinity  of  Winchester,  while  Sheri- 
dan’s army  lay  between  Charlestown  and  Berryville. 

Battle  of  Winchester. — Upon  Anderson’s  withdrawal. 
Early  had  9000  infantry  and  artillery  with  3000  cavalry 
left  under  his  command,  to  contend  with  Sheridan’s  splendid 
army.  On  Friday,  September  16,  Grant  visited  Sheridan  at 
Charlestown,  giving  him  liberty  to  conduct  an  offensive  cam- 
paign against  Early. 

At  3 a.  m.,  September  19,  Sheridan  ordered  his  infantry 
to  move  directly  toward  Winchester,  while  Averill  and  Torhert 
were  to  maneuver  toward  Early’s  left.  The  infantry  of  the 
Nineteenth  Corps  was  delayed  in  the  crossing  of  the  Opequan. 
This  delay  allowed  Early  to  make  a junction  with  his  forces 
from  Bunker  Hill. 

About  the  middle  of  the  forenoon  the  attack  began  against 
Eamseur’s  small  division  of  1500  men,  supported  by  Lee’s 
cavalry.  The  furious  assaults  of  the  Federals  were  checked 


SHEEIDAN"  AGAINST  EAELY 


283 


until  11  a.  m.,  when  Eodes’  division  came  to  the  rescue;  and 
soon  afterwards  General  Eodes  was  killed.  Gordon  next  ar- 
rived on  the  extreme  left  and  last  came  Breckinridge’s  old 
division,  under  Wharton.  The  fighting  was  at  the  close  range 
of  200  to  -100  yards,  and  was  desperate.  Against  great  odds 
the  Confederates  retained  their  ground  until  5 p.  m.,  when 
the  preponderant  force  of  Sheridan  overlapped  the  Confed- 
erate left,  allowing  Torhert’s  cavalry,  under  Merritt  and 
Averill  to  get  in  the  rear.  The  Confederate  line  of  battle 
now  broke  and  the  men  fled  toward  Eisher’s  Hill.  The  Con- 
federates lost  2500  prisoners,  1000  killed,  and  5 gims  and  9 
battle  flags.  The  Eederals  lost  5000,  killed  and  wounded. 

Fisher  Hill,  September  22,  1864.—  General  Early  now 
gathered  his  discomfited  army  at  Eisher  Hill,  a place  of  great 
natural  strength,  situated  on  the  north  branch  of  the  Shenan- 
doah Eiver  with  North  Mountain  on  the  west.  His  forces 
were  not  large  enough  to  reach  from  mounain  to  mountain, 
which  was  eventually  the  cause  of  a flank  movement  again 
on  his  left. 

On  September  22  General  Crook  was  ordered  to  the  ex- 
treme right,  and  between  4 and  5 p.  m.,  made  a dashing  at- 
tack upon  the  Confederates’  center,  and  separated  the  two 
wings.  General  Torbert  had  been  sent  by  way  of  Luray  Val- 
ley to  attack  Early’s  rear,  but  the  brave  resistance  at  Milford 
by  the  Confederate  cavalry  under  General  Wickham  saved 
him  from  this  disaster. 

The  Confederates  had  lost  16  guns  and  1100  prisoners. 
The  Eederals  had  lost  about  500  men. 

Early,  who  had  lost  half  of  his  army  and  21  guns,  re- 
treated to  Port  Eepublic,  followed  to  Staunton  by  Sheridan’s 
cavalry.  Sheridan  proceeded  to  devastate  the  valley  of  the 
Shenandoah,  Luray  and  Little  Eork. 

On  October  6 Sheridan  withdrew  his  army  northward, 
destroying  everything  that  might  furnish  sustenance  to  man 
or  beast.  In  Sheridan’s  report  of  October  7,  1864,  he  sums 


284 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


up  2000  bams,  filled  with  bay,  wheat,  and  farming  imple- 
ments ; over  70  mills,  filled  with  wheat  and  fiour ; 4000  cattle, 
and  3,000  sheep.  This  was  certainly  carrying  war  to  the 
extreme,  causing  starvation  and  destitution  among  the  non- 
combatants,  and  can  scarcely  bear  comparison  with  the  consid- 
eration of  Lee’s  orders  to  his  soldiers  in  the  Maryland  and 
Pennsylvania  Campaigns. 

Battle  of  Cedar  Creek,  October  19, 1864. — During  the 
last  of  September  Early  had  been  reinforced  by  Kershaw’s 
division,  making  his  strength  equal  to  what  it  had  been 
at  Winchester. 

On  October  9 Rosser’s  cavalry,  which  had  been  hanging 
on  Sheridan’s  rear,  was  attacked  on  the  Strasburg  Pike  and 
driven  back  with  a loss  of  300  men,  and  11  guns.  On  Oc- 
tober 15  Sheridan  had  gone  to  Washington  on  business,  and 
the  army  was  left  under  Wright’s  command.  The  Federal 
army  lay  on  the  east  side  of  Cedar  Creek.  General  Crook, 
with  the  Eighth  Corps,  occupied  the  left  fiank,  the  Nineteenth 
Corps  was  in  the  center,  Emory  and  the  Sixth  were  on  the 
right,  while  in  reserve  were  Custer  and  Merritt  with  the  cav- 
alry. 

Early  now  planned  to  take  the  Federals  by  surprise.  At 
midnight  of  the  18th  the  Confederates  began  their  move- 
ment over  seven  miles  of  rugged  country,  crossed  the  north 
fork  of  the  Shenandoah  about  a mile  from  its  junction  with 
Cedar  Creek,  getting  to  the  rear  of  the  Federals’  left  flank. 
A heavy  fog  favored  this  most  audacious  undertaking.  At 
dawn  Gordon,  who  was  leading,  followed  by  Ramseur  and 
Pegram,  had  crossed  the  ford,  accompanied  by  Kershaw  and 
Wharton. 

Gordon,  actively  supported  by  the  other  division,  with 
great  vehemence  assaulted  Crook’s  corps,  and  within  one 
quarter  of  an  hour,  the  army,  which  had  so  gallantly  fought 
at  Winchester  and  had  turned  Early’s  left  flank  at  Fisher 
Hill,  was  a mass  of  fugitives.  The  Nineteenth  Corps  imder 


SHERIDAN  AGAINST  EARLY 


2'85 


Emory  were  soon  jnst  as  seriously  involved,  while  the  Sixth 
Corps,  with  the  assistance  of  the  cavalry,  made  a short  stand 
near  Middleton,  bnt  soon  gave  way.  At  9 o’clock  the  only 
hope  of  the  Federal  army  was  to  protect  their  wagon-trains 
and  draw  off  with  as  little  loss  as  possible.  The  Eederals 
having  lost  24  gams  and  1800  prisoners,  fled  from  their  camps 
in  every  direction.  General  Wright  though  wounded,  did 
all  in  his  power  to  restore  order  and  at  a good  defensive  line 
between  Middleton  and  Newton  the  Federal  troops  were  ral- 
lied. The  Confederates’  impetuosity  of  pursuit  was  quenched 
by  their  eagerness  to  plunder  and  possess  the  Federal  camps; 
they  did  not  anticipate  a countercharge. 

General  Sheridan  had  spent  the  night  at  Winchester  and 
was  not  aware  of  the  battle  until  his  army  had  been  defeated, 
which  fact  was  made  plain  to  him  by  the  fugitives  he 
met  as  he  rode  rapidly  toward  the  scene  of  action.  By  his 
presence  confldence  was  restored ; but  order  had  been  partially 
effected  and  means  for  resistance  already  made  by  Wright 
who  had  arrived  on  the  battle-fleld  at  10:30  a.  m. 

The  failure  of  Early  to  hold  his  men  in  hand  and  of 
the  Confederate  lines  to  remain  compact  were  the  cause 
of  more  than  one  dismal  disaster  to  their  arms  after  they 
had  just  made  a most  daring  and  successful  effort.  At 
3 p.  m.,  Sheridan  ordered  an  advance  of  the  entire  Federal 
line ; and  the  thinned,  disorganized  lines  of  the  Confederates 
made  a stubborn  flght. 

At  flrst  the  retreat  was  slow,  but  Anally  it  became  a 
rout.  The  result  was  that  Early  lost  not  only  what  he  had 
captured  but  also  23  guns,  1500  prisoners,  large  numbers  of 
horses,  mules,  wagons,  and  quantities  of  supplies.  Early 
halted  for  the  night  at  Fisher’s  Hill,  while  the  Eederals 
rested  in  their  old  camps  on  Cedar  Creek.  The  Federals 
lost  5,200  men,  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners. 

Cedar  Creek  was  the  end  of  the  V alley  Campaign.  Sheri- 
dan, commanding  a much  larger  and  better  equipped  army, 


286 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


had  completely  defeated  the  Confederates.  His  praises  were 
sung  by  the  whole  North.  His  vigor  and  skillful  maneitvers 
placed  him  among  the  greatest  leaders  of  the  war,  and  he  was 
promoted  to  the  position  of  major-general. 

The  greater  part  of  Early’s  infantry,  under  the  command 
of  Gen.  John  B.  Gordon  returned  to  General  Lee.  On  ac- 
count of  lack  of  forage  the  cavalry  was  furloughed  and 
Early,  with  only  a small  portion  of  Wharton’s  division,  re- 
mained at  Staunton.  Early  was  much  censured  in  the  South 
for  the  many  disasters  that  had  befallen  him.  He  lost  fifty 
guns  in  one  month  and  about  15,000  men, — killed,  wounded, 
and  captured.  His  inferiority  in  number  and  equipment  was 
greatly  responsible  for  the  disasters,  for  the  small  number  of 
his  cavalry  men  allowed  him  to  be  flanked,  and  the  untimely 
leaving  of  Kershaw’s  division  before  the  Battle  of  Winchester 
helped  to  bring  disaster  upon  him,  making  a decisive  defeat  in 
a very  critical  period  of  the  war.  Some  weeks  later  the  rem- 
nant of  his  command  was  captured  at  Waynesboro,  but  Gen- 
eral Early  escaped.  Near  the  close  of  the  war  (March  30, 
1865)  he  was  removed  from  a command  in  a department  in 
which  there  was  no  one  left  to  command.  Sheridan  soon  after 
the  battle  of  Cedar  Creek  withdrew  to  Kemstown  and  later 
joined  Grant. 


Facing  Page  287 


CHAPTER  XLVI 


SIEGE  OF  PETERSBURG  AJID  SUBSEQUENT  EVENTS 

Grant  now  determined  to  wear  out  Lee’s  army  by  siege. 
Since  he  had  left  the  Rappahannock  six  weeks  before,  out  of 
an  army  of  190,000  well-equipped  men  cooperating  in  the 
movement  against  Richmond,  there  had  been  a fearful  loss 
of  76,000.  His  list  of  experienced  officers  had  become  de- 
pleted, thousands  of  soldiers  had  died  of  fever  and  wounds, 
and  every  movement  of  the  Grand  Aiuny  had  been  checked. 
Under  these  conditions  the  only  hope  of  finally  overcoming 
Lee’s  army  and  seizing  the  stronghold  of  the  Confederacy 
was  the  long,  tedious  process  of  hammering,  mining,  de- 
stroying the  Confederates’  communications  for  supplies,  and 
beseiging. 

Grant’s  communication  vfith  his  basis  for  supplies  was 
almost  perfect  and  free  from  interruption  by  way  of  the 
James  River,  and  the  Potomac  to  Washington,  while  Lee’s 
position  was  far  more  difficult  and  dangerous.  He  was  forced 
to  protect  two  cities  by  a line  of  fortifications  thirty-five  miles 
long,  having  an  army  only  one-third  the  size  of  that  of  his 
determined  opponent.  His  lines  of  communication  for  sup- 
plies were  constantly  menaced  and  subject  to  serious  inter- 
ruptions. The  supply  of  men  for  recruits  was  exhausted. 
The  currency  of  the  Confederacy  had  depreciated  in  value 
to  such  an  alarming  extent,  that  one  dollar  in  gold  was  worth 
sixty  in  Confederate  paper.  The  supply  of  arms,  ammu- 
nition, food,  and  clothes  was  rapidly  diminishing.  The  heart 
of  the  Confederacy  was  being  penetrated  by  Sherman- with  an 
army  of  60,000  men.  Yet  the  resolute  soldiers,  inspired  by 
their  leaders  and  the  devoted  women  of  the  South,  struggled 
on  against  the  hopeless  odds  for  ten  long  dreary  months. 

287 


288 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


From  the  first  of  July  to  the  28th  there  had  been  desultory 
cannonading,  and  at  times  some  severe  fighting,  hut  there  had 
been  not  one  important  concentrated  effort  on  the  part  of 
Grant  to  break  Lee’s  fortification.  Each  general  "was  rest- 
lessly watching  an  opportunity  to  improve  his  position. 

The  Petersburg  Mine  Horror. — A plan  had  originated 
in  General  Burnside’s  corps, — the  Forty-eighth  Pennsyl- 
vania under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Pleasants, — to  tunnel  under 
one  of  the  main  forts  of  the  Confederates.  The  plan  was  en- 
couraged by  Burnside,  but  not  by  Meade  or  Grant.  The 
place  selected  was  a salient  in  front  of  General  Johnson  and 
the  center  of  Elliott’s  brigade.  The  excavation  began  June 
25,  and,  after  great  difficulty,  was  completed  July  26.  The 
tunnel  was  500  feet  long  and  at  the  ends  wings  were  extended 
to  right  and  left,  in  which  were  placed  about  four  tons  of  gun- 
powder. To  make  more  certain  the  success  of  the  under- 
taking, Grant  ordered  Hancock  to  make  a strong  diver- 
sion with  20,000  men  on  the  north  side  of  the  James, 
thus  drawing  off  part  of  Lee’s  forces.  After  considera- 
ble skirmishing  and  small  loss  of  life  on  either  side, 
the  Federal  coi’ps  recrossed  the  James  the  night  of  the 
28th  and  reached  Petersburg  by  daybreak.  The  time  for 
lighting  the  fuse  was  set  for  3 :30  a.  m.,  July  30.  General 
Lee  was  not  unaware  of  the  mining  and  placed  8 and  10-inch 
mortar  batteries  so  as  to  cross-fire  on  it.  Burnside  desired 
that  the  negro  division  under  General  Ferrero  should  lead  the 
charge  after  the  explosion,  but  this  was  objected  to  by  the 
other  generals,  and  Ledlie’s  division  was  selected  by  lot  to  lead 
the  advance. 

At  the  appointed  time  the  fuse  was  set,  but  an  hour  passed 
and  no  explosion  occurred,  owing  to  a defect  in  the  fuse. 
This  occasioned  a costly  delay.  At  ten  minutes  before  5 
o’clock  the  tremendous  explosion  carried  in  its  awful  de- 
stiuiction  high  in  the  air  200'  men,  literally  tom  to  pieces. 
Mingling  in  the  air  with  the  dismembered  bodies  were  huge 


SIEGE  OF  PETEESBURG 


289 


stones,  enormous  quantities  of  dirt,  splintered  timbers  and 
guns.  A huge  chasm  had  been  made  170  feet  long,  60  feet 
wide,  and  30  feet  deep.  The  falling  debris  confused  the  ad- 
vancing Federals,  causing  them  to  break  in  disorder,  while 
the  Confederates  poured  their  deadly  fire  from  100  guns  upon 
the  open  crater  filled  with  wriggling  humanity.  The  assault 
was  slow.  The  soldiers,  crowding  and  disorganized,  began 
to  inspect  the  horrible  mass  in  the  crater  before  them. 

The  time  lost  allowed  the  Confederates  to  get  over  their 
astonishment,  and  they  began  now  to  concentrate  their  fire 
upon  the  Federals,  who  sought  safety  in  the  crater,  finding  it 
almost  impossible  either  to  push  forward  or  draw  out.  The 
Confederate  fire  was  concentrated  and  terrible.  The  negro 
division  under  Fenero  made  a brave  effort  on  the  left  crest  of 
the  crater  to  get  into  the  Confederate  lines,  but  was  finally 
disorganized  by  the  firing  of  Mahone’s  troops,  and  sought 
safety  in  flight.  At  2 p.  m.  the  Confederates  charged  from 
the  depression  between  the  hills  into  the  crater  where  occurred 
a fearful  hand-to-hand  conflict  of  short  duration. 

The  failure  of  this  venture  was  a great  disappointment  to 
Grant.  The  loss  of  life  among  the  Federals  was  great.  Four 
thousand  men  had  been  sacrificed,  1652  of  whom  were  cap- 
tured. The  losses  of  the  Confederates  scarcely  equaled  1000. 
ISTothing  had  been  accomplished. 

Protracted  Siege  of  Petersburg  After  the  Mine  Hor- 
ror.— While  Sheridan  and  Early  were  fighting  up  and  down 
the  valley  of  the  Shenandoah  General  Grant  had  remained 
comparatively  quiet,  with  the  exception  of  a few  more  or  less 
important  maneuvers.  Grant  knew  that  the  recruits  of  the 
South  were  being  rapidly  exhausted,  that  the  majority  of  them 
were  boys  and  old  men  and  that  the  entire  resources  of  the 
Confederacy  were  rapidly  dwindling.  These  facts  did  not 
prevent  him  from  using  all  his  efforts  and  resources  to  hasten 
its  end. 

Dutch  Gap  and  Deep  Bottom. — On  August  10  the  Fed- 


290 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


erals  began  making  efforts  to  dig  a navigable  channel  across 
Dutch  Gap  on  the  James, — 11  miles  southeast  of  Eichmond, 
Avhere  the  great  bend  of  the  river  formed  a narrow  peninsula 
aboiit  530  feet  wide  at  its  neck.  Skirmishing  began  on  the 
12th  when  the  Confederates  endeavored  to  hinder  and  check 
the  work. 

On  August  14  a severe  engagement  occurred  between  the 
Confederates  and  Gibbon’s  and  Barlow’s  division  of  the 
Second  Corps,  commanded  by  Hancock,  Avith  part  of  the  Tenth 
United  States  Corps.  In  an  assault  at  Deep  Bottom  the  Fed- 
erals  suffered  a severe  loss  of  1000  men.  The  skinnishing 
continued  on  the  15th  A\dth  a loss  of  800  men.  The  excessive 
heat  prostrated  the  troops;  but  on  the  16th  a stronger  effort 
Avas  made  and  as  far  as  White  Tavern  the  fighting  Avas  de- 
termined and  obstinate. 

In  the  fight  Avith  Gregg’s  cavalry,  Gen.  John  E.  Chambliss, 
— a bold  and  capable  Confederate  cavalry  leader, — Avas 
killed.  Late  in  the  afternoon  the  Federals  Avere  repulsed  and 
driven  from  the  position  they  had  obtained  earlier. 

The  Federal  losses  for  the  day  were  1500  men,  AA'hile  the 
Confederates  lost  nearly  1000.  The  fighting  continued  to 
be  more  or  less  intermittent  on  the  l7th,  18th,  and  19th,  Avith 
no  general  engagement.  On  August  20  and  21  Hancock’s 
division  Avas  marched  back  to  Petersburg.  These  demonstra- 
tions Avere  made  to  prevent  Lee’s  sending  reinforcements  to 
Early  in  the  Valley. 

Warren’s  Move  Against  the  Weldon  Railroad. — At 

about  2 a.  m.,  Augaist  18,  Warren,  Avith  the  Fifth  Corps, 
began  operation  on  Grant’s  left  against  the  Weldon  Eail- 
road.  About  2 p.  m.  a severe  engagement  began  betAveen 
the  Federal  divisions,  under  CraAvford  and  Ayres,  and 
Heth’s  divisions  of  Hill’s  corps  supported  by  Mahone.  The 
combat  continued  until  dark.  The  losses  of  the  Federals, 
besides  160  prisoners,  Avere  1000,  AA'hile  the  Confederates  lost 
500,  30  of  Avhom  Avere  prisoners.  The  Federals  held  an 


SIEGE  OF  PETEESBIJEG 


291 


intrenched  position  on  the  Weldon  Railroad  tAVO  and  a half 
miles  from  Petersburg. 

The  Federals  were  eager  to  strengthen  their  new  position, 
and  pushed  forward  reinforcements  under  Wilcox  of  the  Ninth 
Corps,  Cutler  of  the  Fifth  Corps,  and  Griffin’s  divisions. 
At  noon  of  the  19th  a gap  in  the  Federal  line  near  the  Jeru- 
salem Road  still  remained ; this  gap  lay  between  Cutler’s  right 
and  Wilcox’s  division.  x\t  1 p.  m.  a heavy  rain  Avas  falling, 
but  A.  P.  Hill,  with  five  brigades  under  Heth  and  Wilcox, 
supported  by  a division  of  cavalry  and  Pegram’s  batteries, 
made  a dashing  attack  near  the  railroad,  driving  a wedge 
between  Wilcox’s  division  and  that  of  CraAvford.  Hill  now 
sent  Colquitt’s  brigade  against  Crawford’s  right  flank,  turning 
it  completely,  Avith  almost  all  of  Hartshorn’s  brigade  and  a 
large  part  of  those  of  Lyle  and  Wheelock.  The  Federal  left, 
— under  Ayres  and  Griffin, — and  part  of  Cutler’s  were 
driven  to  their  second  line  of  intrenchment,  but  not  until 
General  Hayes’  brigade  had  been  badly  cut  up.  A large 
number  were  killed  and  Avoiinded.  General  Hayes  was  cap- 
tured along  Avith  600  soldiers. 

The  center  was  giving  way,  but  very  fortunately  for  the 
Federals,  Potter’s  division  and  White’s  of  the  Ninth  Corps 
came  to  Crawford’s  aid  and  helped  restore  their  line. 

The  Federals  had  lost  1500  killed  and  wounded  and  2700 
captured;  this  number  included  70  officers. 

A brief  battle  of  tAvo  hours  was  fought  on  the  forenoon 
of  the  21st, — a desperate  conflict  in  Avhich  the  Confederates 
were  unable  to  turn  the  Federal  flanks.  By  the  night  of 
August  24  the  Weldon  Railroad  had  been  torn  up  from  four 
miles  below  Petersburg  to  AAnthin  two  miles  of  Reams  Station. 

Battle  of  Reams  Station. — On  the  moming  of  August 
26,  after  Hancock’s  retreat  from  the  north  side  of  the  James, 
Gibbon’s  diA’ision  of  the  Second  Corps  moA^ed  a mile  beloAV 
Reams  Station  in  order  to  continue  the  destruction  of  the 
Weldon  Railroad.  Skirmishing  began  with  the  Confederate 


292 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


pickets  in  the  early  morning,  and  continued  until  3 :30  p.  m., 
when  an  assault  was  made  by  the  Confederates.  As  this  was 
without  effect,  the  Confederates  now  from  protected  positions 
began  to  use  a very  destructive  fire  upon  the  Federals  for 
nearly  half  an  hour.  Hill’s  command, — consisting  of  eight 
brigades  and  two  divisions  of  cavalry  under  Hampton, — 
made  a vigorous  advance  at  5 p.  m.,  and  succeeded  in  break- 
ing Miles’  line.  Humphrey’s  division  and  Gibbon’s  were 
very  roughly  handled,  resulting  in  almost  a general  rout. 
The  personal  effort  of  Hancock  and  the  stubbornness  of  part 
of  Miles’  division  kept  their  defeat  from  being  even  more  dis- 
astrous. 

The  Federals  lost  2300  killed  and  wounded,  2150  captured, 
9 guns,  10  caissons,  and  12  stands  of  colors.  Hancock  was 
compelled  to  retire  from  Eeams  Station  to  make  a junction 
with  the  Fifth  Coi’ps.  The  Confederate  loss  had  been  Y50. 

Hammering’. — On  the  29th  of  Augmst  Grant,  with  great 
fury,  resumed  a vigorous  bombardment  all  along  the  line. 
However,  the  Confederates  suffered  but  few  casualties.  The 
labors  of  Lee  were  incessant.  The  occupation  of  the  Weldon 
Eailroad  by  the  Federals  forced  the  Confederates  to  convey 
their  supplies  by  wagon  from  Stony  Creek,  eight  miles  south 
of  Eeams,  thence  to  Petersburg  by  Boydton  Plank  Eoad. 

After  several  days  of  rest  Grant  began  again  his  old  tactics 
of  hammering.  He  temporarily  transferred  his  main  plan  of 
attack  north  of  the  James  Eiver.  On  September  16  Gen. 
Wade  Hampton,  by  a daring  cavalry  raid  behind  Grant’s 
center,  nine  miles  northeast  of  Prince  George  Court  House, 
succeeded  in  seizing  a herd  of  2500  cattle,  200  mules,  30 
wagons  and  300  prisoners.  This  was  veritably  a heavenly 
gift  for  Lee’s  army.  Hampton  lost  about  50  men. 

Capture  of  Fort  Harrison. — On  the  night  of  September 
28  General  Butler  crossed  to  the  north  side  of  the  J ames 
Eiver,  and  with  a strong  force  under  Ord  and  Bimey  moved 
up  the  Hew  Market  Eoad  and  made  a fiank  movement  on  the 


SIEGE  OF  PETEESBURG 


293 


stronghold,  Fort  Harrison.  On  the  morning  of  the  29th, 
about  a mile  and  a quarter  from  the  fort  and  just  before  the 
Confederate  intrenehments,  a line  of  battle  was  formed  under 
Ord  in  the  woods  of  Chapin  Farm.  With  the  aid  of  gunboats 
Ord  succeeded  in  capturing  this  important  place,  together 
with  16  gims  and  200  prisoners.  The  Federals  lost  800  men 
in  the  assault. 

Bimey’s  attack  on  Fort  Gilmer, — about  one  mile  north  of 
Fort  Harrison, — was  repulsed.  At  this  fight  Grant  was 
present,  but  the  Confederate  position  was  too  strong  to  be 
taken.  After  a loss  of  2000  men  Birney  withdrew. 

Efforts  by  the  Confederates  to  recapture  Fort  Harrison  on 
the  30th  failed ; and  thus  a menacing  position  north  of  the 
James  was  left  in  the  possession  of  the  Federals. 

Closing  Events  of  1864  in  and  Around  Petersburg. — 
The  tragic  picture  that  confronts  the  student  of  this  period 
of  Civil  War  history  is  painted  on  a sombre  baekgTOund. 
The  cordons  of  Grant’s  army  were  gradually  entwining  them- 
selves in  a death-grip  around  Petersburg.  Before  going  into 
winter  quarters  Grant,  after  the  success  of  Sheridan  in  the 
V alley,  decided  to  push  forward  a strong  offensive  movement 
on  his  left.  During  the  first  part  of  October  considerable 
skirmishing  and  mortar  firing  occurred  from  time  to  time, 
especially  in  front  of  the  Second  corps.  On  the  right.  Gen- 
eral Terry,  now  temporary  commander  of  the  Tenth  Corps, — 
with  Kantz’s  cavalry,  Ames’  division,  and  W.  Birney’s, — 
started  on  the  evening  of  October  12  to  make  a strong  recon- 
noissance  as  far  as  Charles  City  Road  for  the  purpose  of  test- 
ing the  Confederate  strength.  Ho  general  engagement 
occurred,  and  the  loss  was  slight.  After  the  8th  of  October 
comparative  quiet  existed  on  the  left  and  this  continued  until 
the  11th,  when  a similar  movement  was  made.  The  inactiv- 
ity continued  until  October  26. 

In  the  last  week  of  October  Grant  and  Meade  led  a strong 
column  to  destroy  the  South  Side  & Danville  Railroad,  and 


294 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


on  the  2Tth  Warren  and  Parke,  commanders  of  the  Fifth  and 
Ninth  corps,  respectively,  attacked  Lee  at  Hatcher’s  Eun. 

The  Second  Corps,  under  Hancock  and  Gregg,  were  to  co- 
operate with  the  Fifth.  At  7 :30  a.  m.  the  Second  Corps  had 
reached  Hatcher’s  Enn  by  way  of  Vaughn  Eoad  and  about 
noon  they  had,  after  some  skirmishing,  reached  Boydton 
Eoad.  Owing  to  the  dense  woods,  Hancock  was  unable  to 
make  connection  with  the  Fifth  Corps,  and  at  4 p.  m.  ordered 
an  assault.  Gregg  was  protecting  the  left  flank  of  Hancock’s 
coi’ps,  but  the  right  was  unprotected.  Mahone’s  division  of 
Hill’s  corps  had  discovered  this,  and  a determined  assault  was 
made  by  the  Confederates  at  this  point,  resulting  in  the  Fed- 
erals  losing  a number  of  guns  and  many  prisoners,  who  were 
nearly  all  recaptured  while  several  hundred  Confederate  pris- 
oners were  retaken.  At  5 p.  m.  a desperate  assault  was  made 
on  Gregg,  who  covered  Hancock’s  left.  The  Federals  were  at 
first  driven  back,  but  rallied  and  at  dark  had  reestablished 
their  line  of  battle.  Soon  after  dark  a retrograde  march  was 
begun  by  the  Federals,  which  continued  all  that  night  and  the 
next  day,  October  28.  The  Federals  had  lost  over  1500  men 
and  had  gained  no  permanent  advantage.  The  Confederate 
loss  in  this  engagement,  known  as  th.e  Battle  of  Boydton  Eoad, 
amounted  to  1000. 

Butler,  commander  of  the  Tenth  Corps,  was  attacked  on  the 
Williamsburg  Eoad  and  sustained  a heavy  loss  of  1500,  while 
that  of  the  Confederates  was  only  200. 

During  the  month  of  November  the  skirmishing  between 
the  two  armies  became  almost  constant  at  Fort  Sedgwick. 
On  November  5 the  Confederates  captured  part  of  the  picket 
line  of  the  Federals  but  it  was  recaptured  after  a desperate 
fight.  The  constant  fighting,  decreasing  supplies  of  food  and 
clothing,  and  the  lack  of  new  recruits  to  draw  from  was  fast 
weakening  the  Confederates’  defense. 

On  December  1 Gregg  began  a cavalry  raid  toward  Stony 
Creek  Station,  which  he  captured ; but  he  was  forced  by  a 


SIEGE  OF  PETEESBURG 


295 


portion  of  Hampton’s  Confederate  Cavalry  to  retreat.  The 
pursuit  ended  at  Eowanty  Creek.  Gregg  lost  about  50  men 
and  captured  150  prisoners. 

At  daybreak,  December  7,  General  Warren,  -vvitb  20,000 
splendidly  equipped  men  and  22  gains,  started  from  camp 
on  the  Weldon  Railroad  between  the  Halifax  Road  and  the 
Jerusalem  Road.  Going  down  the  Jerusalem  Road  Warren 
crossed  the  Hottoway  River  at  Freeman  Bridge,  18  miles 
southeast  of  Petersburg,  camping  on  the  south  side  before 
daylight  of  December  8. 

Warren  now  beaded  the  troops  toward  Jarrett  Station,  20 
miles  south  of  Petersburg.  The  railroad  bridge  across  the 
iSTottoway  was  destroyed  at  12  o’clock,  making  the  destruction 
of  the  railroad  to  Jarrett  Station  complete.  At  Bellfield  part 
of  Wade  Hampton’s  cavalry  and  militia  disputed  the  further 
progress  of  the  Federals.  A cold  rain  had  continued  during 
the  whole  march,  making  the  roads  almost  impassable.  On 
the  morning  of  December  10  Warren  commenced  the  back- 
ward march  to  the  camps  in  front  of  Petersburg;  and  after 
great  exhaustion,  but  with  little  loss,  he  reached  the  Federal 
lines  December  12. 

There  were  no  further  operations  of  importance  around 
Petersburg  until  after  the  Hew  Year  dawned, — the  year  that 
was  soon  to  see  an  end  of  j^erhaps  the  most  desperate  military 
struggle  of  modern  times,  if  not  in  the  world’s  whole  history. 

The  Christmas-tide  brought  rest,  festivities,  and  many  com- 
forts to  the  tired  soldiers  under  Grant.  Many  furloughs  were 
allowed,  many  hearts  were  cheered,  and  many  homes  made 
happy  by  the  home-coming  of  veterans. 

Hot  so  in  Petersburg  and  Richmond.  There  was  too  much 
starving,  too  few  shoes  and  clothes,  too  few  comforts  of  mind 
and  body,  to  allow  much  cheer.  Yet  brave  hearts  beat  be- 
neath the  rags,  and  hope, — even  against  hope, — continued 
to  illumine  the  future  and  to  strengthen  even  the  faint- 
hearted. The  heart  and  soul  of  the  defense  said,  “ The  strug- 


296 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


gle  now  is  to  keep  tke  array  fed  and  clothed.”  Again,  Lee 
wrote:  “Only  50  men  in  some  regiments  have  shoes,  and 
hacon  is  issued  once  in  a few  days.”  This  sad  condition 
existed  in  a cold,  raw  winter,  during  which  the  men  were 
forced  to  stay  in  the  trenches.  The  outlook  for  success  now 
in  the  long  struggle  was  dark  indeed.  Yet  the  end  was  not 
to  be  until  thousands  of  precious  lives  had  been  sacrificed 
to  the  terrible  passions  of  civil  discord  and  human  strife. 


CHAPTEE  XLVII 


hood’s  campaign  after,  Sherman’s  capture  of  ateanta 

Gen.  X.  B,  Forrest’s  military  activities  previous  to  joining 
General  Hood  were  in  the  majority  of  instances  carried  on  in 
western  Tennessee. 

After  the  Tupelo  expedition  in  July  Gen.  A.  J.  Smith  re- 
turned to  Memphis  and  rested  his  troops  for  three  weeks. 
With  10,000  well  equipped  men,  on  August  4,  he  again  set 
out  on  an  expedition  into  northern  Mississippi.  Without 
meeting  any  opposition  he  reached  the  Tallahatchie  Eiver. 

Taking  advantage  of  Smith’s  absence,  Forrest  made  a raid 
into  Memphis,  and  on  August  21,  with  the  expectation  of  cap- 
turing General  Hurlbut  and  General  Washburne,  he  made  a 
dash  for  the  Gayoso  Hotel.  Being  forewarned  the  generals 
made  their  escape,  but  a number  of  prisoners  and  a consid- 
erable amount  of  booty  were  taken. 

After  the  fall  of  Atlanta  General  Forrest  crossed  the  Ten- 
nessee Eiver,  and  followed  the  Hashville  & Decatur  Eailroad 
to  Athens,  Ala.,  where,  on  September  24,  he  captured  three 
negro  regiments.  He  now  marched  north  to  Pulaski,  Tenn., 
destroying  the  railroad  and  interrupting  the  Federal  com- 
munication, On  October  6,  he  retreated  south  of  the  Ten- 
nessee Eiver  before  a large  force  sent  against  him  by  General 
Thomas.  By  October  21  Forrest  had  concentrated  his  small 
force  at  Jackson,  Tenn.  From  here  he  prepared  to  operate 
on  the  Federal  line  of  supplies  that  were  coming  up  the 
Tennessee  Eiver  and  proposed  to  prevent  Thomas  from  being 
reinforced  by  Western  troops. 

On  October  29  General  Buford,  of  Forrest’s  command, 
appeared  at  Fort  Heinman,  which  was  a small  earthwork  on 

297 


298 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


the  west  bank  of  the  Tennessee,  65  miles  from  Paducah, 
Ky.,  situated  near  the  southeast  corner  of  Calloway  County, 
Ky.  The  Confederates  captured  the  steamboat  Express,  three 
transports,  and  a gunboat.  By  ISTovember  2 batteries  prop- 
erly placed  completely  corpmanded  the  river  above  and  below 
Johnsonville. 

At  Johnsonville  the  Federals  had  gathered  an  enormous 
quantity  of  supplies  for  Thomas’  Aiuny  at  Nashville.  There 
was  a garrison  of  1000  soldiers,  3 gunboats,  and  8 transports. 
On  November  4 Forrest  ordered  an  active  cannonade  against 
the  Federals,  which  soon  resulted  in  the  destruction  of  the 
gunboats,  transports,  and  the  loss  by  fire  to  the  Federals  of 
several  million  dollars’  worth  of  supplies. 

Forrest  had  in  these  activities  destroyed  4 gunboats,  14 
transports,  2 dozen  barges,  had  captured  26  guns,  and  150 
prisoners,  and  had  burned  millions  of  dollars  worth  of  sup- 
plies that  had  been  accumulated  for  the  Federals.  General 
Forrest  now  hastened  to  join  Hood,  who  had  been  moving  from 
Georgia  to  the  Tennessee  River. 

On  November  10  Forrest  was  at  Corinth  and  had  united 
with  Hood  at  Florence  on  the  18th. 

Hood’s  Movement  After  the  Fall  of  Atlanta. — Hood 
had  made  his  headquarters  at  Lovejoy  Station  after  Sherman 
had  entered  Atlanta.  The  Confederate  army,  amounting  now 
to  about  40,000  men,  had  been  well  reorganized  and  had  re- 
covered with  wonderful  quickness  from  the  severe  fights  it 
had  engaged  in  around  Atlanta. 

While  Sherman  was  occupying  Atlanta  and  strengthening 
its  defense.  President  Davis  arrived  in  Georgia  on  an  inspec- 
tion tour.  At  Macon  (September  23)  in  an  address  on  the 
situation  confronting  the  Confederacy,  with  well-meant  words 
of  patriotism,  he  incautiously  revealed  the  heavy  desertions  in 
the  Confederate  army  and  disclosed  the  plans  to  be  pursued  by 
Hood  in  his  future  movements.  Sherman  was  not  slow  in 
taking  advantage  of  this  knowledge,  which  resulted  in  his 


HOOD^S  CAMPAIGN  AFTER  ATLANTA  299 


strengthening  Thomas  at  Nashville, — a movement  that  led 
ultimately  to  the  total  discomfiture  of  Hood  and  his  ainny. 

Hood,  in  accordance  with  President  Davis’  advice,  began  a 
movement  to  get  in  Sherman’s  rear  and  cut  off  his  communi- 
cation with  Tennessee  (September  24). 

Sherman  now  hurried  Thomas  toward  Nashville  and  also 
placed  Schofield  and  Newton  at  strong  places  in  Atlanta’s 
rear. 

On  September  27  General  Hood  moved  toward  the  Chatta- 
hoochee, crossing  this  river  at  Palmetto  Station  September 
29-30. 

By  October  2 Hood’s  army  was  well  on  its  way  toward 
Dallas,  where  he  could  menace  both  Rome  and  Kingston.  On 
October  3 his  cavalry  captured  Big  Shanty  and  Ackworth, 
destroying  the  railroad  and  telegraphic  connection. 

At  Altoona  Pass  the  Federals  had  $1,000,000  worth  of 
rations  guarded  by  Colonel  Tourtellote  with  three  regiments. 
Sherman  had  anticipated  an  attack  here  and  had  sent  General 
Corse  with  a division  of  the  Fifteenth  corps  to  Rome  as  soon 
as  Hood  had  crossed  the  Chattahoochee.  Corse  had  been  tele- 
graphed to  and  signalled  to  reinforce  and  hold  the  garrison  at 
Altoona  Pass  against  the  Confederates  until  he  should  be  re- 
inforced by  Slocum  from  Atlanta.  Corse  now  commanded 
2000  men. 

Battle  of  Altoona  Pass. — Early  on  the  morning  of  Octo- 
ber 5 General  French  with  a division  approached  the  Pass  and 
demanded  its  surrender.  This  was  refused  and  a desperate 
fight  continued  until  2 p.  m.,  during  which  Corse  was  severely 
wounded  in  the  face  by  a rifle  hall,  while  Rowett  and  Tour- 
tellote were  both  disabled.  The  trenches  were  almost  filled 
with  the  dead  and  wounded.  At  10  a.  m.  Sherman, — stand- 
ing on  Kenesaw  Mountain  eighteen  miles  away, — was  able  to 
see  the  smoke  and  hear  faintly  the  artillery’s  roar.  He  was 
also  enabled  to  signal  Corse  of  his  effort  to  relieve  him. 

After  repeated  assaults  for  five  hours  French,  at  3 p.  m., 


300 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


began  to  draw  oS  his  troops  in  the  direction  of  Hew  Hope 
Church.  South  of  Altoona  he  captured  a blockhouse  and  its 
garrison. 

This  engagement,  considering  the  number  that  took  part, 
was  one  of  the  most  severely  contested  battles  of  the  war. 
Half  of  the  Federal  command  was  killed,  wounded,  or  cap- 
tured. The  town  was  a complete  wreck,  all  the  horses  of  the 
cavalry  and  artillery  were  killed.  The  fort  was  held,  and  the 
rations  saved. 

General  French  had  lost  400  prisoners,  250  killed,  and 
several  hundred  wounded. 

Hood  now  crossed  the  Etowah  and  Oostanaula  rivers, 
passed  to  the  east  of  Eome,  and  on  the  12th  of  October  ap- 
peared before  Eesaca,  which  Colonel  Weaver,  who  held  the 
place  with  600  men  and  3 pieces, — refused  to  surrender;  no 
serious  attack,  however,  was  made  upon  the  fort.  Hood  now 
moved  rapidly  to  Dalton,  destroying  the  railroad  to  Tunnell 
Hill,  at  which  place  he  captured  a regiment  on  October  14. 

General  Sherman,  upon  discovering  Hood’s  movement 
toward  Eesaca,  pushed  his  troops  toward  Eome,  where  the 
whole  army  assembled  on  October  12.  Sherman’s  army  ar- 
rived on  the  14th  at  Eesaca,  where  they  encamped  for  the 
night.  Howard,  on  the  15th,  moved  toward  Smoke  Creek 
Gap,  while  General  Stanley  and  the  Fourth  and  Fourteenth 
corps  moved  toward  Villanow  to  strike  Hood. 

On  October  5 Hood  was  in  full  swing  toward  Lafayette, 
having  left  a small  force  at  Ship  Gap.  Wheeler,  who  had 
been  busy  in  eastern  Tennessee,  joined  him  here,  but  later 
went  southward  to  aid  Hardee. 

By  October  20  Hood  had  reached  Gadsden  on  the  Coosa 
Eiver  in  northern  Alabama,  where  the  Confederate  army  re- 
mained until  the  last  of  October.  General  Beauregard  had 
assumed  command  of  the  West  on  October  17,  but  Hood  still 
retained  his  special  command;  and  here  the  two  generals 


HOOD’S  CAMPAIGN  AFTEE  ATLANTA  301 


planned  for  their  future  operations,  meanwhile  strengthening 
the  army  as  far  as  was  possible. 

On  October  18,  Sherman’s  forces  under  Howard  and  Stan- 
ley had  marched  down  the  Chattanooga  Yalley  on  parallel 
roads,  while  part  of  the  army  under  Cox  marched  by  Cover’s 
Gap  to  Summerville.  On  October  20  the  whole  army  reached 
Gaylesville,  Ala. 

The  Federals  remained  a week  at  Gaylesville,  resting  and 
living  on  the  land.  Sherman  had  been  drawn  100  miles  from 
Atlanta,  but  did  not  intend  to  leave  Georgia,  depending  on 
Thomas  and  Schofield  to  thwart  Hood’s  future  designs.  On 
the  26th  Sherman  prepared  to  return  to  Atlanta  and 
mobilize  his  army  of  60,000  men  for  a march  through  Georgia 
to  the  sea.  Grant  had  agreed  to  the  plans.  Schofield,  Stan- 
ley, and  Wilson  were  sent  to  Nashville  subject  to  Thomas’ 
command. 

Hood  Moves  Toward  Tennessee. — After  Sherman’s  de- 
parture from  Gaylesville  (October  26)  Hood  began  to  make 
demonstrations  against  Decatur,  which  was  held  by  Granger, 
who,  on  the  27th,  had  received  considerable  reinforcements. 
On  October  29  Hood  retired  toward  Courtland,  and  success- 
fully crossed  the  Tennessee  Eiver  near  Tuscumbia,  and  on  the 
31st  effected  a lodgment  on  the  north  side  of  the  Tennessee, 
about  three  miles  above  Florence,  Ala. 

Thomas,  as  soon  as  he  was  certain  that  Hood  intended  to 
invade  middle  Tennessee,  ordered  Schofield,  who  was  waiting 
with  the  Twenty-third  corps  at  Eesaca,  Ga.,  to  concentrate  his 
forces  at  Pulaski,  Term.  Wood’s  division  of  the  Fourth 
Corps  reached  Athens  on  the  31st,  and  General  Stanley  was 
ordered  also  to  concentrate  the  remainder  of  the  Fourth  corps 
at  Pulaski. 

Hood  was  not  responsible  for  the  conception  of  the  cam- 
paign he  was  engaged  in,  he  was  not  responsible  for  the  com- 
manding position  he  now  held,  for  he  was  carrying  out  his  su- 


302 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


perior’s  orders,  but  lie  is  blamable  for  certain  mistakes,—  even 
fatal  errors, — made  in  its  execution. 

When  Hood  began  to  concentrate  bis  army  at  Florence  and 
was  here  joined  by  the  intrepid  Forrest  be  had  an  army  su- 
perior in  number  to  that  of  Thomas,  whose  forces  were  not 
united  and  many  of  Avhose  men  were  raiv.  On  ISTovember  1 
S.  D.  Lee’s  corps  had  crossed  the  Tennessee  to  form  a line 
along  Shoal  Creek,  but  the  inactivity  of  Hood  in  not  sending 
Steivart’s  corps  and  Cheatham’s  across  until  Hovember  17  had 
given  Thomas  time  to  gather  his  scattered  army  together. 
This  delay  by  Hood  ivas  of  the  greatest  benefit  to  Thomas ; 
for  every  day  meant  the  increasing  strength  of  his  army  and 
his  defense,  while  Hood  had  no  reinforcements  to  draw  from. 
On  November  19  Hood  began  his  advance  into  Tennessee  from 
Florence  to  Waynesboro.  On  the  22d  Hatch’s  cavalry  was 
driven  out  of  Lawrenceburg,  ivhile  Schofield  began  to  fall 
back  from  Pulaski  toivard  Columbia.  Granger,  on  the  23d, 
withdrew  the  garrisons  to  Stevenson  from  Athens,  Huntsville, 
and  Decatur. 

On  November  21  Schofield’s  forces  began  to  reach  Columbia 
and  on  the  night  of  November  27  he  withdrew  all  his  forces 
to  the  north  side  of  Duck  Eiver,  and  took  up  a position  one 
and  a half  miles  above  the  toivn. 

On  the  ei^ening  of  ISTovember  27  Hood’s  army,  which  had 
been  somewhat  delayed  by  a storm,  approached  Columbia. 
Late  in  the  evening  of  the  28th  Forrest  crossed  the  river  a feAV 
miles  above  Columbia.  General  Wilson  at  2 a.  m.  on  the 
morning  of  the  29th  was  repulsed  by  the  Confederates  in  his 
effort  to  prevent  them  from  crossing.  At  the  Lewisburg 
Pike  and  Henry’s  Mill,  SteAvart’s  and  Cheatham’s,  with  John- 
son’s division  of  Lee’s  corps,  crossed  the  Duck  Eiver. 

Schofield,  finding  his  line  of  communication  in  danger, 
hastily  retreated  toward  Franklin  over  the  Columbia  and 
Franklin  Pike.  General  Forrest  made  a dashing  and  bold 
effort  to  capture  and  destroy  the  Federal  wagon-trains  at 


HOOD’S  CAMPAIGN  AFTER  ATLANTA  303 


Spring  Hill ; but  tlie  timely  arrival  of  Stanley  with  a di- 
vision of  infantry  prevented  this.  He,  however,  had  great 
difficulty  in  keeping  the  position  iintil  dark.  The  Confed- 
erates were  rapidly  pushing  forward  on  parallel  roads  toward 
Spring  Hill.  At  midnight  the  main  body  of  Schofield’s 
army  passed  Spring  Hill,  without  interruption. 

A Fatal  Error. — Someone  had  blundered.  Who  made 
the  fatal  mistake  at  Spring  Hill  in  the  Confederate  army  that 
prevented  a united  attack  against  Schofield’s  retreating 
aiTuy  may  never  be  known.  General  Hood  had  given  or- 
ders through  his  assistant  adjutant-general,  Major-Lieut. 
A.  P.  Mason,  that  General  Cheatham’s  corps  should  at- 
tack Schofield’s  advance  brigade  under  General  Stanley  at 
Spring  Hill.  About  4 p.  m.  of  the  29th  the  Confederate 
infantry  began  to  come  in  contact  with  the  Eederals,  hut  no 
determined  or  united  attack  was  made. 

Brigadier-General  Brown,  of  the  advance  division  of  Cheat- 
ham’s corps,  failed  to  lead  the  attack,  having  been  misled,  it 
was  said,  by  the  conflicting  orders  of  the  aides.  The  oppor- 
tune time  rapidly  slipped  away.  The  sun  sinks  fast  after  4 
p.  m.  at  this  time  of  the  year.  Hood  was  nonplussed  that 
heavy  firing  corild  not  he  heard  in  his  advance;  Cheatham 
Avondered  Avhy  Brown  could  not  attack.  Darkness  sank  upon 
the  army,  the  camping  Confederates  kneAV  something  had 
happened,  that  the  unexpected  had  occurred.  Instead  of  a 
desperate  attack  and  the  expected  routing  of  the  foe,  the  Con- 
federates settled  quietly  around  their  camp-fires,  Avhich  the 
rapidly-marching  Federals  saw  as  they  hastened  on  to 
Franklin. 

Cheatham  and  Stewart  Avere  severely  censured  by  Flood  for 
their  apparent  inactivity,  but  later  Hood  exonerated  Cheat- 
ham, Avho  was  to  lead  the  attack ; for  it  appeared,  according 
to  the  authority  of  Isham  G.  Harris,  that  the  orders  had  not 
reached  Cheatham  as  Hood  had  desired.  Early  on  the  morn- 
ing of  November  30  Schofield’s  army  began  to  assume  their 


304  HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE. 

position  on  tlie  south  side  of  Franklin,  18  miles  south  of 
Hashville. 

Franklin  is  situated  on  the  southwest  hank  of  the  Harpeth 
Eiver,  with  more  than  half  of  the  town  lying  in  a bend  of  the 
river  to  the  east  and  north. 

Battle  of  Franklin,  November  30, 1864. — Immediately 
upon  his  arrival  Schofield  set  his  army  energetically  to  work 
erecting  breastworks  of  logs  and  earth.  Both  flanks  of  the 
Federal  anny  rested  on  the  banks  of  the  river,  the  Twenty- 
third  corps  taking  its  position  on  the  left,  and  the  Fourth  corps 
on  the  right.  The  Federal  cavalry  was  placed  on  each  side 
of  the  town,  north  of  the  river. 

Wagner’s  two  brigades  formed  Schofield’s  rear  line  in  order 
to  protect  his  wagon-trains  until  they  could  be  got  over 
Harpeth  Eiver  and  well  on  their  way  to  Nashville. 

At  daylight,  by  forced  march  across  country.  Hood  started 
in  rapid  pursuit  of  the  retreating  Federals.  Stewart  led  the 
advance,  then  Cheatham,  with  Lee  bringing  up  the  rear  with 
the  trains  and  artillery  from  Columbia.  The  Federals  were 
pushed  so  hard  that  some  of  their  wagons  were  abandoned 
and  burned. 

At  3 p.  m.,  after  a march  of  17  miles.  Hood’s  army  came 
in  sight  of  the  Federal  forces  at  Franklin.  Hood  now  de- 
termined to  attack  Schofield  at  once.  General  Stewart’s 
corps  formed  in  line  of  battle  on  the  right  flank,  Cheatham 
on  the  left,  supported  by  Johnson’s  division  of  Lee’s  corps, 
while  most  of  Forrest’s  cavalry  was  placed  on  the  right  with 
orders  to  attack  the  wagon-trains  and  the  retreating  army, — 
if  Hood  met  with  success. 

Between  Hood’s  line,  which  was  fonned  behind  a screen 
of  timber,  and  Schofield’s,  lay  a broad,  slightly  undulating 
plain,  interspersed  with  small  elevations,  bushes,  and  clmnps 
of  trees. 

At  4 p.  m.  Hood’s  skirmishers  began  their  advance ; these 
were  fired  upon  by  Wagner’s  two  brigades.  About  5 p.  m. 


HOOD’S  CAMPAIGN  AFTER  ATLANTA  305 


the  massed  columns  of  Stewart  and  Cheatham  came  into 
action  and  with  the  greatest  gallantry,  they  rapidly  overcame 
"Wagner’s  brigade  in  the  outworks.  Now  under  one  of  the 
most  terrific  fires  of  artillery,  cannister,  and  musketry  that 
any  troop  ever  had  to  face  during  the  whole  period  of  the 
Civil  War  the  Confederates  rushed  forward  against  the  in- 
terior breastworks  which  were  held  by  Cox  and  Euger,  pen- 
etrated the  defenses  and  captured  two  gams. 

The  Federal  situation  was  desperate  when  at  this  critical 
period  General  Stanley  ordered  forward  Opdyke’s  brigade, 
of  Warren’s  di\’ision.  The  promptitude  of  Opdyke’s  re- 
sponse, the  gallantry  of  his  men,  and  the  firmness  of  their 
assault  on  the  advancing  Confederates  saved  the  Federals 
from  being  driven  out  of  their  interior  defenses  and  pre- 
vented their  being  badly  defeated.  The  Confederates  fought 
on  in  the  darkness,  with  the  greatest  courage  and  desperation. 
There  was  no  battle-field  of  the  terrible  Civil  War  whereon 
men  displayed  more  courage  and  heroic  valor.  Hood  had 
used  no  artillery,  “ on  account  of  the  women  and  children 
remaining  in  the  town,”  he  explained. 

The  combat  did  not  cease  until  midnight. 

Results. — During  the  night  the  Federals  retreated  from 
the  town  toward  Nashville.  Hood  had  purchased  his  victory 
at  a fearful  cost.  Between  4500  and  5000  of  his  men  and 
many  of  his  best  commanding  officers  had  been  either  killed, 
wounded  or  captured.  Major-Gen.  P.  E.  Cleburne, — one  of 
the  most  capable  and  loved  division  officers  in  the  Confederate 
army, — and  Generals  Strahl,  Adams,  and  Granbury  were 
killed  leading  their  commands.  Brigadier-General  Gordon 
was  captured  at  the  breastworks,  which  he  had  reached,  while 
Generals  Carter,  Manigault,  Cockrell,  Duarler,  and  Scott  were 
severely  wounded.  The  moral  effect  upon  the  Confederate 
forces  was  most  discouraging. 

General  Schofield’s  army  had  suffered  much  but  not  so 
severely  as  his  opponent’s,  having  lost  2326  killed,  wounded. 


306 


HISTOKY  or  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


and  missing,  the  wounded  including  General  Stanley  and 
General  Bradley.  The  Eederal  general  was  able,  without 
serious  interruption,  to  bring  his  army  to  join  Thomas  at 
ISTashville. 

Battl©  of  Nashvillo. — By  noon  of  December  1 General 
Schofield  had  reached  Thomas’s  line  of  battle  around  Hash- 
ville.  The  army  under  Thomas  had  grown  rapidly.  Gen- 
eral Stedman  and  5000  men  arrived  from  Chattanooga  on  the 
evening  of  the  1st,  and  A.  J.  Smith,  Avith  a large  reinforce- 
ment from  Missouri,  had  already  joined  him  on  November  30. 
Thomas  had  strongly  fortified  the  city.  Forts  Hegley,  Mor- 
ton, Gillem,  Casino,  and  Houston  commanded  the  ap- 
proaches from  the  south.  Resting  on  the  Cumberland  River 
and  forming  the  right  flank  Avas  A.  J.  Smith’s  command ; in 
the  center  Avas  General  Stanley’s  Fourth  coi’ps,  commanded 
by  Wood,  as  the  former  soldier  Avas  seAmrely  Avounded. 

General  Schofield,  on  his  arrival  Avith  the  Twenty-third 
corps,  Avas  placed  on  the  left,  Stedman  strengthened  the  po- 
sition betAveen  Schofield  and  the  Cumberland,  while  Wilson’s 
cavalry  protected  the  rear  from  Edgefield. 

On  December  1 Hood  advanced  on  ISTashville,  and  began  to 
occupy  the  high  ground  on  BroAvn’s  Creek,  extending  from 
ISTolensville  Pike  in  a Avesterly  direction  across  the  Franklin 
Pike  and  Granny  White  Pike,  southAvest  of  Richland  Creek, 
to  the  Hillsboro  Pike.  Montgomery  Hill,  the  Confederate 
salient,  AA^as  600  yards  from  the  Federal  center.  Hood 
remained  in  this  position,  closely  besieging  ISTashville  for  two 
Aveeks.  At  Overall’s  Creek,  near  Murfreesboro,  the  activity 
of  Bates’  division,  of  Cheatham’s  corps,  against  Milroy,  and 
the  sAveep  of  Buford’s  cavalry  through  Murfreesboro  and 
thence  to  Lebanon  alarmed  the  Federal  authorities  at  Wash- 
ington for  Thomas’  safety. 

General  Grant  greAV  very  impatient  Avith  Thomas’  delay, 
fearing  that  Hood  would  make  a strong  detour  into  Ken- 
tucky; so,  leaving  City  Point,  he  proceeded  as  far  as  Wash- 


HOOD’S  CAMPAIGN  AFTER  ATLANTA  307 


ington,  intending  to  go  to  Nashville,  in  order  to  superintend 
matters  there  in  person.  While  there  Grant  received  tele- 
graphic communication  from  Thomas  announcing  his  attack 
upon  the  Confederates. 

Thomas’  army  Tvas  greatly  superior  in  number  to  that  of 
Hood,  hut  he  insisted  that  his  cavalry  needed  organizing.  On 
the  morning  of  December  9 a severe  sleet  storm  greatly  hin- 
dered the  activity  of  the  armies  and  caused  great  suffering 
among  the  poorly  sheltered,  scantily  clad,  and  half-nour- 
ished Confederates.  By  the  night  of  December  14  the  weather 
conditions  had  greatly  moderated.  Thomas  and  his  corps 
commanders  had  perfected  and  agreed  upon  a plan  of  attack 
upon  Hood’s  position.  The  left  flank  of  the  Confederates 
was  considered  to  be  the  vulnerable  point.  A feint  attack  was 
to  be  made  on  Cheatham,  who  held  the  Confederate  right, 
Avhile  a concentrated  effort  was  then  to  be  made  to  break 
Stewart’s  line  on  the  left.  General  Lee  held  the  center  while 
Forrest’s  cavalry  protected  the  right. 

December  15,  1864. — On  account  of  the  heavy  fog  that 
enveloped  the  whole  country  around  Nashville  on  the  early 
moiTiing  of  December  1.5,  Thomas  was  unable  to  move  his 
army  as  soon  as  he  had  planned.  General  Stedman,  however, 
in  the  early  morning  made  a demonstration  against  Hood’s 
right. 

As  soon  as  this  movement  was  initiated,  A.  J.  Smith,  sup- 
ported by  Wilson,  advanced  along  the  Harding  Pike,  and 
moving  to  their  left  struck  Stewart’s  corps  on  the  Hillsboro 
Pike  along  Richland  Creek.  Assisted  by  the  gunboats,  the 
Confederate  outposts  were  driven  back,  several  guns  were  cap- 
tured, and  300  prisoners  taken.  Schofield  and  Wood  came 
to  the  support  of  Smith  in  the  evening,  forcing  Hood’s  army 
from  its  advance  position  at  Montgomery  Hill.  Hood  had 
lost  over  a dozen  guns  and  1000  men  taken  prisoners. 

During  the  night  Hood  reformed  his  line  of  battle  some  two 
miles  south  of  his  original  position  along  Overton  Hill. 


308 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


Cheatham  reinforced  Stewart  on  the  left,  with  the  Con- 
federate army  holding  the  Granny  White  Pike  and  the  Frank- 
lin Pike. 

December  16. — General  Wood,  of  the  Federals,  held  the 
right,  while  Smith’s  command  was  in  the  center,  with  Scho- 
field and  Stedman  on  the  left.  Thomas  resumed  his  attack  at 
6 a.  m.,  and  the  skirmishers  were  driven  in.  By  3 p.  m.  the 
entire  Federal  force  was  within  a quarter  of  a mile  of  Hood’s 
army.  Two  brigades  of  Wood’s  corps,  with  part  of  Sted- 
man’s,  advanced  to  the  attack ; but  a destinictive  fire  from  the 
batteries  and  infantry  of  the  Confederates  sent  such  havoc 
into  the  Federal  ranks  that  they  retreated,  leaving  their  dead 
and  wounded  on  the  hill-slopes. 

The  day  looked  hopeful  for  the  Confederatesj  hut  there 
was  soon  to  happen  an  incident, — unlooked  for,  but,  reason- 
ing from  the  conditions  that  led  up  to  this  critical  battle,  one 
that  might  have  been  expected.  The  immense  numerical  su- 
periority of  Thomas’  army  allowed  him  to  overlap  the  thinned 
and  exhausted  army  of  Hood,  endangering  the  Confederate 
rear  with  Wilson’s  dismounted  cavaliy.  The  indefatigable 
Forrest,  having  again  been  sent  away  at  a most  inopportune 
time,  his  protecting  arm  was  not  there.  The  Battle  of  Frank- 
lin, a victory  most  dearly  purchased,  had  brought  gloom  into 
the  Army  of  Tennessee,  for  thousands  of  its  men  had  gone 
from  their  comrades’  presence.  This  splendid  army  had  lost 
Cleburne,  Strahl,  Adams,  Cockrell,  Carter,  and  Gordon. 
They  had  fought  and  marched  for  weeks  and  weeks,  without 
victory.  They  were  ragged,  hungry,  and  cold.  They  had 
lost  faith  in  their  chieftain.  The  wonder  is  that  they  were  so 
long  able  to  endure. 

The  climax  of  the  battle  came  soon  after  4 p.  m.,  when  the 
heavy  assaulting  column  of  Schofield’s  corps  and  Smith’s  at- 
tacked Stewart’s  corps  and  Cheatham’s  in  their  front.  When 
the  Federal  column  struck  the  angle  held  by  Gen.  William  B. 
Bates’  division, — which  was  just  left  of  Hood’s  center,  where 


HOOD’S  CAMPAIGN  APTEE  ATLANTA  309 


the  line  was  nndnly  extended, — it  was  able  to  bring  to  bear  a 
cross  fire  just  at  the  time  one  of  Bates’  brigades  was  attacked 
in  the  rear.  The  line  gave  way.  This  was  followed  by  a 
panic  in  Stewart’s  and  Cbeatbam’s  corps;  nearly  all  their 
artillery  was  captured,  and  thousands  of  small  arms.  Those 
who  were  not  taken  prisoners  fied  for  safety  through  Brent- 
wood Pass  and  down  the  Eranklin  Turnpike.  Stephen  D. 
Lee’s  corps  was  the  only  one  that  remained  intact  after  the 
battle,  and  hut  for  this  and  the  splendid  courage  of  Forrest’s 
cavalry  the  army  of  Hood  would  have  met  with  complete  de- 
struction. 

In  justice  to  the  memory  of  William  B.  Bates  and  the  men 
of  his  division, — who  had  fought  and  won  well-deserved 
honor  imder  many  trying  conditions, — a few  facts  should  be 
brought  to  the  mind  of  those  who  are  inclined  to  censure 
unduly  their  action  on  this  unfortunate  day.  No  man  should 
be  judged  without  a hearing,  especially  a brave  and  honor- 
able one,  who  sacrificed  and  endured  much  for  the  cause  he 
considered  just. 

Bates’  division  had  lost  20  per  cent,  of  its  men  at  the 
battle  of  Franklin,  many  of  its  officers  had  been  killed,  and 
he  himself  had  had  a horse  shot  under  him  before  the  Federal 
breastworks.  During  the  severely  cold  weather  preceding  the 
battle,  while  Stewart’s  corps  and  Cheatham’s  other  divisions 
were  resting  before  Nashville  Bates’  division  had  been  or- 
dered to  make  a detour  toward  Murfreesboro.  On  December 
8,  near  Murfreesboro,  he  encountered  Milroy,  and  after  a dis- 
play of  remarkable  personal  courage  he  was  able  to  check  the 
Federals  and  hold  the  field  at  the  close  of  the  engagement. 
The  severe  freeze  and  the  sleet  had  caused  his  men  to  suffer 
greatly,  for  25  per  cent,  of  them  were  barefooted,  with  bleed- 
ing feet.  Under  these  conditions  he  was  ordered  back  before 
Nashville,  where  he  arrived  in  time  to  participate  in  this 
disaster  to  the  Confederates. 

His  command  was  placed  in  the  most  difficult  and  danger- 


310 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


ous  position  of  the  line,  -without  sufficient  breast-works  or  ob- 
structions, and  subjected  to  enfilading  fire  and  rear  attack. 
Where  the  breach  was  made  the  command  was  nearly  anni- 
hilated ; nor  does  it  seem  that  this  break  in  the  line  should  be 
considered  wholly  responsible  for  the  subseqiient  rout  of  the 
Confederate  corps.  The  official  report  of  General  Bates  is 
worthy  of  careful  and  unprejudiced  perusal. 

The  battle  of  ISTashville  was  the  most  disastrous  defeat 
in  a pitched  battle  that  the  Confederates  received  during  the 
Civil  War.  It  effectually  broke  their  power  in  the  West  and 
completely  disorganized  forever  their  main  fighting  force. 
Night  prevented  the  Federals’  immediate  pursuit  for  any  dis- 
tance. 

The  Federals  had  lost  during  the  two  days’  fights  — killed, 
387  ; wounded,  2562  ; missing,  112, — a total  of  3061.  They 
had  49,773  men  engaged.  The  Confederates’  loss  was:  4462 
prisoners  taken,  53  guns,  and  thousands  of  small  anns. 
There  was  no  report  of  killed  and  wounded,  but  Hood  reports 
it  to  have  been  “ very  small.”  They  had  23,207  men 
engaged. 

The  Confederate  Retreat. — After  the  Confederate  lines 
had  broken  General  Chalmers  and  General  Ruekner  formed  a 
barricade  about  one  mile  from  the  battle-ground,  on  the 
Granny  White  Turnpike,  behind  which  they  stationed  their 
cavalry.  Here  Knipe’s  division  and  Hatch’s  of  Wilson’s  cav- 
alry were  temporarily  checked,  but  the  Confederates  were 
finally  driven  on  toward  Franklin  by  the  superior  number  of 
the  Federals.  At  length,  eight  miles  south  of  Nashville, 
Hood  halted  the  gu’eater  part  of  what  was  left  of  the 
army. 

On  the  l7th  the  Federal  cavalry  pursued  the  Confederates 
by  way  of  Granny  White  Turnpike,  while  the  Fourth  Corps 
proceeded  by  the  Franklin  Pike.  The  main  cavalry  column, 
with  Knipe’s  division  in  advance,  struck  the  rear  guard  of  the 
retreating  army  which  was  under  Stephen  D.  Lee,  early  in 


HOOD’S  CA3kIPAIGH  AFTER  ATLANTA  311 


the  morning’  about  four  miles  north  of  Franklin  at  a place 
called  Hollow  Tree  Gap.  The  Federal  charges  were  bold. 
Although  the  Federals  succeeded  in  capturing  several  hundred 
men, — many  of  their  own  number  were  dragged  from  their 
horses, — Lee  was  able  to  hold  the  attackers  in  check  by  the 
most  desperate  effort.  Although  wounded  severely  in  the 
foot,  he  kept  the  command  imtil  late  at  night. 

About  4:30  in  the  afternoon  the  Federal  effort  to  break 
the  rear  guard  and  cause  a rout  was  even  more  persistent 
than  in  the  morning,  but  it  was  unavailing. 

The  only  cavalry  with  the  rear  guard  under  Lee  was  a small 
command  under  General  Buford.  On  the  morning  of  De- 
cember 18  General  Forrest,  with  his  cavalry  forces,  came  to 
the  assistance  of  the  much-tried  rear-g’uard,  which  had  re- 
treated by  this  time  five  or  six  miles  to  the  south  of  Franklin. 
The  Federal  infantry  had  been  delayed  for  the  night  at  Har- 
peth  River.  On  the  18th  the  Federal  cavalry  pursued  the 
Confederates  to  Rutherford  Creek,  three  miles  north  of  Co- 
lumbia, but  severe  rains  had  made  the  roads  very  heavy,  and 
on  the  19th  the  pursuit  was  checked  here.  When  the  Fed- 
eral advance  under  Hatch  reached  Duck  River  on  the  20th 
they  found  the  stream  greatly  swollen,  though  the  Confed- 
erates had  safely  crossed  the  night  before.  On  the  21st  severe 
cold  set  in,  during  which  the  suffering  of  the  Confederates 
was  most  intense. 

It  was  not  until  December  24th  that  Thomas’  advance  in- 
fantry, under  Wood,  came  in  touch  with  General  Forrest  and 
General  Walthall,  who  commanded  the  heroic  rear-guard. 
A stand  was  made  by  Forrest  at  Lynnville  and  again  at 
Buford  Station,  but  the  forces  in  retreat  reached  Pulaski  the 
same  night.  On  December  25  some  miles  south  of  this  point 
the  Federal  cavalry  received  a severe  repulse,  losing  one  gun 
and  several  men. 

When  Hood  reached  the  Tennessee  River  his  situation  was 
desperate.  Having  no  pontoon  bridges,  he  was  forced  to  keep 


312 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


the  Federal  gunboats  at  a distance  with  small  guns,  while  his 
engineers  and  men  were  providing  insecure  crossings.  By 
the  28th  the  Confederates, — the  remnant  of  a once  splendid 
army, — had  safely  crossed  at  Bainhridge  on  the  Ten- 
nessee. 

Grant  severely  criticized  Thomas’  indolence  in  failing  to 
reap  the  benefits  of  his  splendid  victory  at  ISTashville.  “ His 
pursuit,”  he  said,  “ indicated  sluggishness.  The  command 
of  the  advance  of  the  pursuit  was  left  to  subordinates,  while 
Thomas  followed  far  behind.” 

Thus  ended  the  Federal  pursuit  and  the  Nashville  Cam- 
paign. General  Thomas’  achievement  was  rewarded  by  his 
being  appointed  major-general  in  the  regular  army,  his  com- 
mission dating  from  December  15.  Although  his  movements 
had  been  slow,  they  resulted  in  the  total  discomfiture  of 
Hood’s  army.  Besides  he  had  to  his  credit  the  important 
victory  of  Mills  Springs  and  his  splendid  record  as  corps 
commander  with  Buell,  Eosecrans,  and  Sherman.  The  suc- 
cess that  stood  out  even  more  prominently  than  all  his  others 
was  the  firm  stand  he  had  made  at  Chickamauga,  bringing 
to  him  the  pseudonym,  the  “ Eock  of  Chickamauga,” 

However,  his  distribution  of  the  troops  after  December  30 
was  not  satisfactory  to  either  Grant  or  the  War  Department. 
Instead  of  their  being  widely  separated  at  Dalton,  Ga., 
Athens,  and  Huntsville,  Ala.,  and  Eastport,  Miss.,  Wood’s 
Fourth  Corps  was  ordered  to  Huntsville,  while  Smith,  Scho- 
field, and  Wilson  concentrated  their  forces  at  Eastport,  ready 
for  immediate  service. 

Lyon’s  Raid  Into  Kentucky. — While  the  Confederate 
forces  under  Hood  lay  before  Nashville  General  Lyon,  the 
hardy  veteran  who  had  fought  so  often  with  Forrest,  was  sent 
with  a force  of  a few  hundred  men  and  two  guns  to  cut  the 
railroad  from  Louisville  and  create  a strong  diversion.  Cap- 
turing Hopkinsville,  he  moved  rapidly  toward  Greensburg 
on  the  Green  Eiver,  near  which  place  he  had  a conflict  with 


HOOiyS  CAMPAIGN  APTER  ATLANTA  313 


LaGrange’s  brigade.  After  this  be  made  a circle  toward 
Elizabethtown,  and  finally  crossed  the  Cumberland  River  at 
Burkesville.  Erom  here  be  moved  tbrougb  McMinnville  to 
Larkinsville,  Ala. 

A small  Federal  garrison  at  Scottsboro,  on  the  Memphis  & 
Charleston  Railroad,  was  attacked  January  10,  and  Lyon’s 
command  now  scattered,  leaving  him  about  200  men  and  one 
gim.  On  January  14,  between  ILarrenton  and  Tuscaloosa, 
General  Palmer  surprised  General  Lyon  in  camp,  capturing 
him  and  part  of  the  command.  General  Lyon,  however,  suc- 
ceeded in  escaping  by  shooting  a sentinel. 

This  was  the  last  effort  on  the  part  of  the  Confederates  to 
enter  Kentucky. 

General  Hood’s  scattered  forces  reached  Tupelo,  Miss.  The 
gi’eater  part  of  them  was  sent  by  way  of  Augusta,  Ga.,  to  later 
join  Gen.  Joseph  E.  Johnston  in  North  Carolina  in  time  to 
engage  in  the  Battle  of  Bentonville  and  in  the  surrender  at 
Greensboro. 

On  January  23  General  Hood,  at  his  own  request,  was  re- 
lieved of  the  command.  He  was  one  of  the  most  effective  and 
daring  corps  commanders  that  the  Confederacy  produced  dur- 
ing the  war.  At  Gaines’  Mill,  at  Antietam,  at  Gettysburg,  at 
Chickamauga,  his  courage  and  his  fearlessness  reached  the 
heroic.  At  Gettysburg  he  lost  an  arm,  at  Chickamauga  he 
lost  a leg.  Even  thus  suffering  and  mutilated  he  still  con- 
tinued to  give  himself  entirely  to  the  cause  he  thought  was 
just.  General  Lee  trusted  none  of  his  men  in  desperate  as- 
saults and  critical  situations  more  than  he  did  Hood  and  his 
Texans.  But  unfortimate  indeed  for  the  Confederacy  was 
the  time  when  whispering  voices  said:  “ Replace  Joseph  E. 
Johnston  in  chief  command  with  the  dashing  Hood.”  It 
was  exactly  the  move  that  Sherman  and  Grant  wanted. 

“ President  Davis  on  several  occasions  during  the  war  came 
to  the  relief  of  the  Union  army  by  means  of  his  superior 
military  genius.”  Thus  spoke  General  Grant.  This  may 


314 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


have  been  to  some  extent  a partisan  view,  but  in  the  instance 
above  mentioned  it  seemed  very  true.  Supreme  command 
was  not  suited  to  Hood,  nor  to  many  of  the  Federal  generals 
during  this  trial  of  fire. 


CHAPTER  XLVIII 


MIN'OR  OPERATIOIfS  DURING-  THEI  DATE;  FADE  AND  EARIY 
WINTER  OF  1864 

In  the  West. — While  Hood  was  moving  into  Tennessee, 
preparatory  to  his  fight  at  Eranklin  and  Xashville,  a large 
cavalry  force  of  2000  men  and  8 guns,  commanded  hy  Colonel 
Oshand,  set  out  from  Vickshnrg  to  cut  Hood’s  communica- 
tions with  Mobile.  Considerable  railroad  track,  2600  bales 
of  cotton  at  Vaughan  Station,  and  numerous  supplies 
destined  for  Hood’s  army  at  Jackson  were  destroyed.  Har- 
assed by  the  detached  commands  of  the  Confederates  on  De- 
cember 4 Oshand  returned  to  Vicksburg. 

Another  Federal  force  of  4200  men,  with  8 guns  and  a large 
wagon-train,  commanded  by  General  Bailey  and  Colonel 
Davis,  left  Baton  Rouge  about  the  27th  of  Hovember,  marched 
through  Columbia  and  Augusta,  Miss.,  and  at  length,  on  De- 
cember 12,  after  a most  trying  march  over  almost  impass- 
able roads,  they  entered  West  Pascagoula  on  the  Gulf.  A 
considerable  part  of  the  J ackson  Railroad  and  a goodly  quan- 
tity of  cotton  were  destroyed  with  the  burning  of  Franklinton. 
At  about  the  same  time  that  Hood  was  fleeing  from  Hashville 
General  Grierson  left  Memphis,  with  3000  cavalry,  to  cut  the 
wires  and  destroy  the  Mobile  & Ohio  Railroad.  Passing 
Corinth  and  Gunstown,  he  destroyed  telegraph  wires  and  rail- 
road. On  December  27  at  Verona,  close  to  Tupelo,  a large 
number  of  cars,  wagons  and  4000  English  carbines  were  taken, 
along  with  many  commissary  stores.  On  December  28 
at  Egypt  a sharp  fight  occurred  between  1200  Confederates 
and  the  Eederals  in  which  the  Confederates  were  defeated, 
a large  number  were  killed,  including  General  Gholson,  and 
several  hundred  prisoners  captured.  Grierson  now  struck 

315 


316 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


soiithwest  throiigli  Houston  and  Bellefontaine  to  the  Missis- 
sippi Central  Eailroad  at  Winona. 

All  these  operations,  though  not  individually  of  great  im- 
portance, bore  heavily  upon  the  resources  of  the  Confederacy 
and  hastened  its  end. 

Southwestern  Virginia. — • In  the  mountain  region,  where 
the  four  great  States  of  Kentucky,  Virginia,  Korth  Carolina 
and  Tennessee  come  together,  the  acute  hatred  engendered  by 
war  had  reached  its  climax.  The  natives  were  in  many  in- 
stances greatly  divided  in  their  zeal.  Brothers  fought  against 
brothers,  neighbors  against  neighbors,  while  the  rugged  moun- 
tainous country,- — inhabited  by  many  descendants  of  old  Cel- 
tic Highlanders  of  Scotland, — developed  anew  the  ancient 
fighting  spirit,  with  its  iri’egular  warfare. 

After  General  Morgan’s  death.  General  Burbridge,  with 
2500  men  proceeded  to  Saltville,  Va.,  where  were  located  the 
salt  works,  which  were  of  great  value;  and  by  December  2, 
1864,  he  had  come  within  four  miles  of  the  place.  But  he 
was  forced  to  retire  from  there  into  Kentucky,  after  a loss  of 
nearly  400  men. 

There  seems  now  to  have  occurred  a hit-and-run  fight  be- 
tween General  Gillem,  the  Federal  general,  and  Vaughan, 
Duke, — the  Confederate  cavalryman,  and  Breckinridge. 

Gillem  was  attacked  (October  26)  at  Morristown  by 
Vaughan,  but  the  Federals  had  the  best  of  the  fight,  driving 
Vaughan  to  Limestone,  28  miles  northeast  of  Knoxville.  Gil- 
lem again  retired  but  at  Bull  Gap  was  attacked  by  Breckin- 
ridge on  Kovember  11,  and  again  Kovember  12.  Vaughan 
and  Duke,  leading  the  cavalry,  attacked  the  front,  while  at 
midnight  near  Morristown,  a flank  and  rear  attack  was  made 
on  the  retreating  Federals.  Gillem’s  forces  were  totally 
routed,  fleeing  in  great  confusion.  Breckinridge  captured  all 
the  Federal  artillery,  wagons,  most  of  the  horses  and  mules, 
and  more  than  300  prisoners.  The  remainder  of  the  Federals 
retreated  to  Knoxville. 


LATE  FALL  ANB  EAELY  WINTER,  1864  317 

Stoneman  in  East  Tennessee. — During  the  latter  part 
of  November  Gen.  George  Stoneman  was  ordered  into  eastern 
Tennessee  to  take  charge  of  all  the  forces.  He  thereupon 
ordered  General  Burbridge  to  march  by  way  of  Cumberland 
Gap  to  the  relief  of  General  Gillem,  who  had  received  from 
Chattanooga  a reinforcement  of  1500  men,  under  General 
Ammen. 

On  December  12  Stoneman  concenti’ated  all  his  forces 
at  Bean  Station.  At  Kingsport  Gillem  met  Burbridge  and 
turned  toward  Bristol,  where  he  defeated  General  Vaughan, 
driving  him  toward  Marion.  Burbridge  moved  rapidly  to 
Abingdon,  which  place  Gillem  also  reached  on  December  15 
after  destroying  part  of  the  railroad  between  this  place  and 
Wytheville  in  order  to  prevent  Vaughan’s  being  reinforced. 
At  Marion  (December  16)  Gillem  attacked  Vaughan  and 
again  routed  him,  causing  him  to  retreat  to  Wytheville. 
Marion  was  captured,  and  on  December  20  Saltville,  with  its 
valuable  supplies,  ammunition,  and  machinery  surrendered. 

The  result  of  Stoneman’s  raid  had  been  very  disastrous 
to  the  Confederate  forces.  Twenty  pieces  of  artilleiy  had 
been  taken,  800  to  900  men  captured,  many  thousands  of  hogs, 
cattle,  and  mules  driven  off,  and  much  property  destroyed; 
all  of  which  was  hastening  the  crisis  that  was  soon  to  come  at 
Appomattox. 

Failure  of  Admiral  Porter  and  General  Butler  to  Cap- 
ture F ort  Fisher. — Before  entering  upon  the  last  great 
military  movement  of  the  year  1864,  “ General  Sherman’s 
March  to  the  Sea,”  it  will  be  well  to  narrate  the  Eederals’ 
first  attempt  and  failure  to  capture  Fort  Fisher  and  Wil- 
mington. Although  Charleston  had  not  yet  been  captured, 
and  Mobile  was  still  a stronghold  of  the  Confederates,  they 
were  completely  blockaded.  Wilmington  had  been  the  most 
difficult  of  all  Southern  Ports  to  blockade  on  account  of  its 
especially  favorable  situation.  Wilmington  lies  some  30  miles 
up  the  Cape  Fear  River.  There  are  two  channels  entering 


318 


HISTOKY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAH 


from  the  sea.  The  Hew  Inlet  on  the  northwest,  two  miles 
wide  and  shallow,  Avas  protected  by  Fort  Fisher, — a strong, 
easemated  eartlwork,  built  on  the  mainland  near  Federal 
Point.  The  southAvest  channel  AA'as  about  12  feet  deep,  and 
tAA'o  and  one-half  miles  AAude.  On  Oak  Island  Avas  located  Fort 
CasAA’ell,  and  on  Smith’s  Island  the  Light  House  Battery, 
Avhich  protected  the  channel.  The  peninsula  betAA-een  the 
Atlantic  Ocean  and  the  Cape  Fear  Eiver  Avas  Ioav  and  sandy. 

Late  in  the  year  ’61  Grant  sent  Gen.  Godfrey  Weitzel  and 
Gen.  Charles  Graham,  under  the  protection  of  the  blockading 
fleet,  to  make  a reconnoissance  of  Fort  Fisher.  The  Con- 
federate commander,  Gen.  W.  H.  C.  Whiting,  hearing  of  his 
purpose,  began  to  greatly  strengthen  Fort  Fisher.  On  De- 
cember 9,  6500  men  of  Butler’s  corps,  under  the  immediate 
command  of  General  Weitzel,  left  Fortress  Monroe. 

They  had  been  preceded  one  day  and  a half  by  the  poAverful 
fleet  of  Admiral  Porter,  aaFo  AA^as  to  cooperate  in  the  attack. 
Butler,  Avho  Avas  not  to  accompany  the  expedition,  joined 
them  on  the  14th  of  December  off  Cape  Henry.  By  the 
evening  of  the  15th  the  transports  arrived  at  the  appointed 
rendezvous  25  miles  from  Fort  Fisher  Avhere  Porter’s  fleet 
had  been  for  three  days.  A fearful  hurricane  now  followed 
the  splendid  Aveather  that  had  favored  the  Federals’  plans. 
The  transports  returned  to  Beaufort,  70  miles  up  the  coast, 
for  shelter,  Avhile  Porter’s  fleet  rode  at  anchor.  The  storm 
lasted  3 days.  On  December  23  Butler  sent  Avord  to  Porter 
that  he  would  join  the  fleet  the  next  day.  A powder  ship 
had  been  prepared,  by  exploding  Avhich  Butler  intended  to 
destroy  the  forts.  Porter  refused  to  Avait  for  Butler  and 
ignited  it  at  1 a.  m.,  on  the  24th.  The  result  Avas  perfectly 
harmless,  although  215  tons  of  gunpoAvder  had  been  used. 

On  the  24th  Porter,  with  his  400  guns  on  33  vessels, 
bombarded  the  foils  for  five  hours;  Butler  did  not  arrive 
until  sunset.  By  noon  of  the  25  th  nnder  cover  of  the  fleet 
fire  a landing  of  troops  Avas  made  about  3 miles  north  of  Fort 


LATE  FALL  AED  EAELY  WINTEE,  1864  319 


Fisher.  A skirmish  line  under  Curtis  was  pushed  to  within 
50  yards  of  the  fort,  Avhile  the  main  body  was  within  800 
yards.  Weitzel  returned  to  Butler  and  reported  that  under 
the  circumstances  an  assault  would  he  butchery. 

Although  Curtis  had  gained  some  advantage,  Butler  acted 
on  the  report  of  Weitzel  and  withdrew  his  troops  at  sunset 
to  the  transports.  Porter  censured  Butler  greatly  for  his 
action,  and  was  upheld  by  Grant,  who  was  greatly  disap- 
pointed at  the  failure.  General  Ames  had  captured  228 
men  in  his  advance  to  the  north,  then  reported  to  Butler  that 
1600  men  of  Hope’s  division  had  arrived  and  that  the  rest 
would  soon  be  in  his  rear.  Upon  hearing  this  Butler  at  once 
proceeded  to  Fortress  Monroe,  which  he  reached  December  28, 
Later  he  was  replaced  by  General  Ord  who  took  command  of 
the  ISTorth  Carolina  and  Virginia  department.  Grant  did  not 
let  the  attempt  to  capture  Fort  Fisher  rest  here  and  he  soon 
succeeded  in  having  the  plan  carried  out. 


CHAPTEE  XLIX 


shekman’s  march  to  the  sea. 

Hood’s  move  to  Decatur  (Xovember  1)  caused  Sherman  to 
hasten  his  preparations  for  his  return  to  Atlanta  and  for 
the  march  through  Georgia  that  soon  followed.  Sherman  now 
returned  to  Smyrna  and  the  Fourteenth  Corps  to  Kensing- 
ton. All  baggage,  supplies,  artillery,  forage,  sick,  wounded, 
and  impedimenta  of  every  character  that  had  hindered 
the  march  were  sent  to  Chattanooga.  On  the  11th  of  Xo- 
vember  the  last  train  went  north  to  Chattanooga.  Corse 
now  destroyed  everything  of  value  in  Eome,  including  mills, 
foundries,  shops,  and  warehouses,  and  joining  Sherman,  the 
huge  army  moved  rapidly  toward  Atlanta,  which  they 
reached  by  the  night  of  the  14th  of  Xovemher. 

The  Burning  of  Atlanta. — On  the  night  of  Xovemher 
15,  1864,  Sherman  ordered  a complete  destruction  of  all  that 
might  be  of  value  to  the  Confederates  in  Atlanta.  The  in- 
habitants had  been  previously  exiled.  It  is  one  of  the 
tragedies  of  the  Civil  War  that  so  many  non-combatants 
had  to  suffer  severely.  Whatever  glamor  may  he  asso- 
ciated in  the  minds  of  men  with  war,  such  events  as  the 
burning  of  Atlanta  show  its  awful  cruelty  and  ugliness. 
The  city  was  left  a bleak  and  barren  ruin;  scarcely  one- 
tenth  of  the  6000  buildings  that  made  the  Atlanta  of  1864 
remained  to  shelter  its  desolate  population  when  they  would 
return.  While  the  city  was  yet  burning  Sherman  (Xovem- 
ber  16)  began  the  march  towards  Savannah,  with  the  great 
army  that  he  had  formed  in  two  wings  marching  in  four 
columns. 

Order  of  March. — The  right  wing,  commanded  by  Gen. 

320 


SHEEMAIT’S  MAECH  TO  THE  SEA 


321 


O.  0.  Howard,  consisted  of  the  Eifteenth  Corps,  under  Gen. 

P.  J.  Osterhans,  and  the  Seventeenth  Corps,  commanded  by 
Gen.  T.  P.  Blair.  Howard  moved  from  Atlanta  dowm  the 
Georgia  Central  Eailroad  toward  Jonesboro.  He  was 
ordered  to  make  a strong  demonstration  to’ward  Macon,  cross 
the  Ocmnlgee  Eiver  at  Planter’s  Mill,  and  rest  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  Gordon  for  a Aveek. 

Slocnm  commanded  the  left  wing, — Avhich  Avas  composed 
of  the  Fourteenth  Corps,  nnder  Gen.  Jeff.  C.  Davis, — 
and  the  Twentieth  Corps  was  to  folloAv  the  railroad  to  Au- 
gusta. Slocum,  Avho  started  toward  Decatur,  was  to  go  by 
Madison,  burn  the  bridge  across  the  Oconee  Eiver,  and  re- 
main for  seven  days  at  Milledgeville,  the  State  capital. 

Shennan  at  the  start  accompanied  the  Fourteenth  Corps, 
Avhich  moved  by  Covington  and  Shady  Dale  toAvard  Milledge- 
ville. The  railroads  were  to  be  destroyed  on  both  routes. 

The  cavalry, — consisting  of  two  brigades  under  Col.  Eli 
H.  Murray,  of  Kentucky,  and  S.  D.  Atkins,  of  Illinois, — 
Avas  commanded  by  Judson  Kilpatrick  and  was  under  Sher- 
man’s order. 

The  cavalry  force  amounted  to  about  5000,  while  the  in- 
fantry and  artillery  forces  were  56,000,  a grand  total  of  over 
60,000  men. 

General  Howard’s  right  flank,  or  the  Eifteenth  Corps,  after 
crossing  the  Ocmulgee  Eiver,  passed  southward  through  Mon- 
ticello  and  Hillsboro,  then  hetAveen  Clinton  and  Milledgeville, 
and  on  Kovemher  22  struck  the  Georgia  Central  Eailroad 
slightly  west  of  GrisAvoldville ; Avhile  the  left  flank  entered 
Gordon,  20  miles  east  of  Macon  on  the  same  railroad.  Kil- 
patrick’s cavalry  had  gone  by  way  of  Griffin  and  Forsyth  in 
the  direction  of  Macon.  On  the  20th,  two  miles  from 
Macon,  Wheeler  Avas  attacked  by  Kilpatrick;  but  neither  side 
suffered  very  severely,  and  the  Federal  cavalry  withdrew  to 
GriswoldAulle,  where  the  infantry  Avas  destroying  the  rail- 
road to  Gordon. 


322 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


Battle  at  Griswoldville. — Walcott’s  brigade,  with  artil- 
lery and  some  cavalry,  formed  the  extreme  right  of  Howard’s 
corps.  They  had  succeeded  in  destroying  Griswoldville,  and 
had  draAvn  up  outside  of  the  town,  being  protected  by  a grove 
of  trees  and  breastworks  in  front.  Here  a force  of  Con- 
federate militia  from  Macon  attacked  them.  After  several 
desperate  assaults,  Avherein  inexperienced  troops  showed 
great  bravery ; they  were  forced  to  retire  after  gTeat  loss, 
leaving  several  hundred  dead  on  the  field.  This  was  the  most 
severe  battle  in  Avhich  the  Federal  forces  were  engaged  on 
their  Avay  to  Savannah.  MeaiiAvhile  the  left  wing  destroyed 
the  bridges  at  Madison.  Part  of  the  Twentieth  Corps  passed 
through  Eatonton  and  a feAv  regiments  entered  Milledge- 
ville  the  State  capital  on  the  21st.  The  Legislature  which 
had  been  in  session  had  fled  a few  days  previously  to  Augusta. 
At  Milledgeville,  factories,  arsenals,  and  government  prop- 
erty were  destroyed,  but  private  buildings  were  protected. 
Some  2500  small  arms  Avere  captured  and  a feAv  Federal 
prisoners.  Here  the  left  Aving  rested  a feAv  days. 

From  Oconee  to  Savannah. — HoAvard’s  command  had 
reached  the  Oconee  Elver  on  the  23  d,  but  were  forced  to 
skirmish  with  Wheeler  three  days  before  a crossing  Avas  made 
8 miles  beloAv  on  the  26th.  Slocum’s  corps  crossed  the  Oconee 
on  the  24th.  By  the  27tli  of  November,  both  Avings  lay  en- 
camped betAveen  Sandersville  and  Irvin  Eoads.  Both  com- 
mands of  the  great  army  now  moved  toAvards  Millen,  the 
junction  of  the  raih’oad  from  Savannah  to  Atlanta  and  Au- 
gaista. 

Moving  toAvard  Augusta,  Kilpatrick  on  December  3 en- 
countered General  Wheeler  near  Waynesboro.  The  Confed- 
erates retreated,  but  hindered  the  Federals’  progress  by  burn- 
ing the  bridges.  Kilpatrick  noAV  marched  soutliAvard,  and  on 
December  5 joined  Slocum’s  command,  Avhieh  had  reached 
Jacksonboro. 

On  Kovember  28  the  Fourteenth  Corps  of  Slocum’s  left 


SHERMA^^^’S  MARCH  TO  THE  SEiV 


323 


wing,  crossed  the  Ogeechee  River  15  miles  north  of  Sanders- 
ville,  inarched  through  Louisville,  and  reached  Milieu  De- 
cember 2.  The  Twentieth  Corps  moved  along  the  railroad, 
destrojung  the  line  as  it  went,  while  Howard’s  corps  de- 
molished the  railroad  between  Tennville  and  the  Ogeechee 
River,  which  stream  they  succeeded  in  crossing  the  last  day 
of  November.  The  Seventeenth  Corps  reached  Millen  on  the 
2d  of  December.  The  Fifteenth  Corps,  which  was  following 
the  Ogeechee,  was  a day’s  march  ahead. 

The  whole  army  turned  southward,  and  marched  to- 
ward Savannah  between  the  Ogeechee  and  Savannah  riv- 
ers. 

The  lovely  fall  sunshine  now  gave  place  to  rainy  weather. 
The  country  was  low  and  swampy,  while  the  Confederates 
had  felled  trees  and  obstructed  the  roads  as  much  as  their 
small  forces  were  able. 

General  Hardee  at  Savannah. — General  Hardee,  the 
Confederate  general  in  command,  had  retired  to  the  forti- 
fied lines  within  Savannah  on  December  10.  He  had  been 
able  to  collect  about  10,000  men, — a body  scarcely  as  large 
as  one  of  Sherman’s  corps.  Hardee  attempted  a stand  at 
the  canal  connecting  the  rivers,  but  after  the  7th  he  with- 
drew. 

Sherman  had  by  December  12  closely  invested  the  city 
on  the  north  and  west ; his  army  lay  in  a half-circle,  ten 
miles  in  length,  and  extending  from  the  Savannah  River  3 
miles  above  the  city  to  the  Gulf  Railroad. 

Shemian  sent  Captain  Duncan  with  two  scouts  down  the 
Ogeechee  River  on  the  night  of  December  9,  in  order  to 
communicate  with  the  fleet.  After  a dangerous  voyage,  dur- 
ing which  they  concealed  themselves  in  marshes  and  rice  fields 
in  the  daytime,  they  succeeded  in  passing  Fort  McAllister 
at  night  in  a rain-storm,  and  were  picked  iip  on  Ossabaw 
Sound  the  morning  of  the  11th  by  the  Federal  gunboat  Flag. 
Carried  to  Hilton  Head,  Captain  Duncan  communicated 


324 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


to  General  Foster  General  Howard’s  message  of  the  armies’ 
presence  and  their  condition.  This  -was  the  first  message 
from  Sherman  to  the  Horth  since  he  had  left  Atlanta. 

Capture  of  Fort  McAllister. — Sherman’s  next  move  was 
to  capture  and  reduce  Fort  McAllister.  This  was  a strong 
fortification,  G miles  from  Ossabaw  Sound  and  18  miles 
southwest  of  Savannah.  It  had  been  unsuccessfully  attacked 
in  1863  by  a Federal  fleet  of  ironclads.  There  were  23  guns 
and  several  small  pieces  in  the  fort  the  approach  to  which  was 
protected  by  a deep  ditch  some  40  feet  Avide,  beyond  which  was 
a line  of  abatis.  The  Confederate  garrison,  hoAvever,  w'as  so 
small  that  Major  Anderson,  Avith  200  men  Avas  the  only 
available  force  left  to  defend  the  fort. 

At  daybreak  of  the  13th  General  Haynes’  division  crossed 
the  Ogeechee  over  a hastily  constructed  bridge,  and  reached 
the  neighborhood  of  the  fort  at  1 p.  m.  After  arranging  his 
regiments,  the  attack  Avas  ordered  at  sundoAAur. 

The  600  yards  Avere  rapidly  passed,  and  in  less  than 
half  an  hour  the  Federal  soldiers  had  captured  the  fort.  Sher- 
man was  noAv  able  to  communicate  Avith  the  fleet  under  Ad- 
miral Dahlgren. 

In  the  meauAvhile  General  Foster  had  sent  General  Hatch 
Avith  5500  men  to  cut  the  Charleston  Railroad.  Three  miles 
from  Grahamville,  South  Carolina,  at  Honey  Hill,  Gen. 
G.  W.  Smith,  a Confederate  Avith  1500  men,  occupied  a 
strong  position.  Hatch  immediately  on  his  arrival  attacked 
the  Confederate  position ; but  after  6 hours  of  fighting  and 
Avith  a loss  of  800  men  Avas  forced  to  retire. 

On  December  14  Sherman  opened  permanent  communica- 
tion AAflth  the  fleet,  and  by  the  17th  had  begun  to  place  a 
number  of  Parrott  siege-guns.  A flag  of  truce  Avas  formally 
sent  to  General  Plardee  demanding  a surrender  of  Savannah. 
The  Confederate  general  refused  the  demand  and  began  to 
prepare  for  an  escape. 

Hardee’s  Escape.— The  Federal  force  surrounded  the 


SHERMAN’S  MARCH  TO  THE  SEA 


325 


city  except  along  the  Savannah  River.  A little  below  Hutch- 
inson Island  ojDposite  Savannah,  beginning  on  the  South  Caro- 
lina shore,  was  a roadway  leading  from  Savannah  to  Charles- 
ton. This  way  had  not  been  closed  by  Sherman.  During  the 
night  of  December  20, — which  was  very  dark  and  with  heavy 
winds, — Hardee  after  destroying  the  navy  yards  and  such 
government  supplies  as  he  could  not  use,  had  his  troops  con- 
veyed on  rafts,  towboats,  and  steamboats  across  the  river,  while 
the  two  ironclads  and  batteries  covered  the  escape  by  a furi- 
ous bombardment  upon  the  Federals’  left  wing.  After  the 
troops  and  guns  were  safely  on  the  South  Carolina  side,  the 
ironclads  and  forts  were  destroyed. 

Shortly  after  dawn  the  Eederals  were  surprised  to  find 
the  intrenchments  deserted.  A few  hours  later  Sherman 
entered  Savannah  and  received  the  surrender  of  the  city  from 
the  mayor. 

This  closed  the  march  to  the  sea.  On  the  22d  of  Decem- 
ber Sherman  sent  President  Lincoln  the  following  message : 

“ I beg  to  present  you,  as  a Christmas  gift,  the  City  of 
Savannah,  with  150  heavy  gams  and  plenty  of  ammunition, 
and  also  25,000  bales  of  cotton.” 

Sherman  received  letters  of  congratulation  and  thanks  from 
Lincoln,  Halleck  and  Grant. 

Results. — Sherman’s  campaign  had  lasted  35  days.  ^ 
Sixty-five  thousand  men  with  10,000  horses  had  marched  300 
miles  through  the  Confederacy,  living  on  the  country.  A 
tract  of  land  from  20  to  60  miles  wide  had  been  devastated. 
Three  hundred  and  twenty  miles  of  railroad  had  been  de- 
stroyed, 9000  horses  and  mules  captured,  20,000  bales  of 
cotton  burned,  and  10,000  negroes  followed  him  into  Savan- 
nah. All  the  hogs,  sheep,  cattle,  corn,  poultry  and  animal 
provender  along  the  route  had  been  either  consumed,  or  de- 
stroyed, while  himdreds  of  buildings  went  up  in  smoke. 

In  Sherman’s  words : “ I estimate  the  damage  done  the 

State  of  Georgia  and  its  military  resources  at  $100,000,000,  at 


326 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


least  $20,000,000  of  which  has  incurred  to  our  advantage 
and  the  remainder  is  simple  waste  and  destruction.”  This 
was  indeed  making  war,  as  he  expressed  it,  “ HELL.”  The 
Federals  had  lost  scarcely  600  men,  while  the  Confederates 
had  captured  1328  and  had  killed  and  wounded  about  700. 
There  was  no  great  difficulty  for  him  to  overcome,  and  the  only 
force  of  any  size  that  he  had  to  oppose  was  Hardee’s,  which 
was  allowed  to  escape  without  any  loss. 

However,  to  the  Confederacy  the  destiniction  of  their 
resources  and  the  presence  of  a gTcat  army  in  the  very  center 
of  their  granary  was  a staggering  blow.  After  placing  Sa- 
vannah under  military  rule,  Shennan  remained  in  peace  at 
Savannah  until  February  1,  1865. 

Close  of  ’64. — Thus  closed  the  very  eventual  year  of 
1864.  It  had  been  croAvded  with  campaigns,  great  and 
small.  The  destruction  of  life  and  property  had  been  more 
than  that  of  any  preceding  year  of  the  great  conflict. 

In  many  of  the  smaller  raids  and  battles  the  Confederates 
had  been  successful.  In  the  sanguinary  battles  from  the 
'Wilderness  to  Petersburg  Grant’s  army  had  suffered  fear- 
fully; while  Johnston’s  stubborn  retreat  from  Dalton  to  At- 
lanta had  almost  baffled  Sherman.  AYt  the  omvard  progress 
of  the  Federal  armies  in  ’64  foretold  the  end  of  the  Great 
Civil  Strife. 


CHAPTER  L 


THE  YEAR  1865.  COMBINED  NAVAE  AND  LAND  OPERATIONS 

OF  1865 

The  Second  Attack  on  Fort  Fisher. — Admiral  Porter, 
— who  was  sanguine  of  the  success  of  the  capture  of  Port 
Fisher  and  IVilmington,  should  his  fleet  be  properly  sup- 
jiorted  by  a land  force, — remained  at  Hew  Inlet.  General 
Grant  ordered  Porter  to  remain,  and  on  January  6 General 
Terry  with  8000  men  was  sent  from  Hampton  Roads  to  join 
Porter.  The  weather  ivas  very  rough  and  the  transports  did 
not  reach  Xew  Inlet  until  the  night  of  the  12th. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  13th,  the  landing  of  troops 
began,  and  by  3 p.  m.,  most  of  the  Federal  soldiers  were  on 
shore,  well  supplied  with  tools  for  intrenching,  forty  rounds 
of  ammunition,  and  three  days’  rations. 

The  fleet  had  kept  up  a terrific  and  almost  incessant  fire 
upon  the  Confederate  fort.  By  the  morning  of  the  14th  the 
Federals  had  raised  a good  protection  of  breastworks,  but 
General  Terry,  in  concurrence  with  Porter,  decided  that  a 
general  assault  would  be  more  likely  to  succeed  than  a siege. 
It  was  decided  to  make  an  assault  at  3 p.  m.,  January  15. 
The  troops  under  Terry  were  to  attack  the  western  half  of  the 
land  front,  the  assault  to  be  made  by  General  Ames’  division, 
consisting  of  Curtis’,  Pennypacker’s,  and  Bell’s  brigades. 
The  bastions  at  the  sea  angles  were  to  be  assaulted  by 
Capt.  K.  R.  Breese  with  1400  sailors  and  marines.  During 
the  14th  the  fort  was  severely  bombarded  by  the  fleet  and 
many  of  the  Confederate  guns  were  injured. 

The  Assault. — To  resist  the  imposing  array  of  fleet  and 
land  forces  General  Whiting  and  Colonel  Lamb  had  2500 
men.  There  were  21  heavy  guns  and  three  mortars  to  pro- 

327 


328 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


tect  the  fort  on  the  land  side.  The  parapet  was  20  feet  high, 
with  a shallow  ditch,  500  yards  long  in  front.  Twenty-four 
guns  were  used  to  protect  the  sea  front,  most  of  which  were 
eight-  and  ten-inch  guns  with  rifled  cannons  interspersed. 
All  preparations  being  made,  at  11  a.  m.,  January  15,  under 
cover  of  one  of  the  most  terriflc  naval  bombardments  of  the 
Civil  War,  the  sailors  and  marines  were  landed  and  suc- 
ceeded in  intrenching  themselves  within  60  feet  of  the  sea- 
front of  the  fort.  Here  they  awaited  the  signal  for  the  as- 
sault. Paine’s  negro  divisions  and  Abbott’s  brigade  were 
left  by  Terry  in  the  intrenchment  facing  Wilmington.  At 
3 :30  p.  m.,  the  signal  for  the  assault  was  given. 

The  sailors  and  marines  under  Breese  inshed  forward,  with 
great  valor,  but  were  severely  repulsed  for  they  failed  to 
deliver  an  effective  Are  against  the  Confederates,  and  meeting 
with  great  slaughter  they  retreated  in  confusion.  They 
were  later  sent  to  Paine,  against  whom  General  Hoke,  with  a 
small  force,  had  made  some  demonstration. 

Curtis’  brigade  led  the  assault  made  by  the  troops;  and 
in  the  face  of  a Severn  Are  a lodgment  was  made  near  the 
west  end  of  the  parapet.  Most  desperate  hand  to  hand  fight- 
ing now  took  place.  Terry’s  forces  were  so  hard  pressed 
that  Abbott’s  brigade  and  one  of  Paine’s  were  drawn  out  of 
the  intrenchment  to  their  assistance.  Row  ensued  six  hours 
of  the  most  obstinate  fighting  on  both  sides, — flghting 
wherein  Confederates  and  Federals  showed  the  superb  brav- 
ery of  the  American  soldier.  There  had  been  no  interniption, 
no  cessation  in  the  flghting;  the  fierce  combat  had  raged 
over  the  bodies  of  friend  and  foe ; the  last  traverse  had  been 
taken,  and  a small  remnant  of  the  garrison  that  had 
not  been  killed,  wounded,  or  captured  retreated  about  mid- 
night to  a point  upon  which  Battery  Buchanan  stood.  Here, 
surrounded  by  the  Federal  troops  on  land  and  sea  General 
Whiting  and  Colonel  Lamb  surrendered  with  the  remnant  of 
their  army. 


THE  YEAH  1865 


329 


Results. — A more  gallant  assault  was  not  made  during 
the  war  upon  a strongly  fortified  place  nor  had  a more  stub- 
born resistance  been  offered.  General  Whiting  and  Colonel 
Lamb  of  the  Confederate  army  and  Generals  Curtis  and 
Pennypacker  of  the  Federal  amiy  were  dangerously  wounded, 
Avbile  General  Bell  was  mortally  injured.  The  Confederates 
had  lost  in  captured  2083,  while  the  rest  of  the  garrison 
Avere  either  killed  or  Avounded. 

The  Federal  land  forces  had  lost  690,  while  the  losses 
in  the  fleet  amounted  to  nearly  300. 

Wilmington  AA’as  noAv  endangered  and  the  last  port  of  the 
Confederacy  was  blockaded.  General  Terry  AA’as  promoted  for 
the  success  of  the  undertaking. 

The  Confederates  on  the  16th  and  17th  of  January  blew 
up  the  forts  across  the  riA’er,  leaving  the  mouth  of  the  Cape 
Fear  River  in  complete  possession  of  the  Federals.  The 
Federals  also  took  169  pieces  of  artillery. 

Capture  of  Wilmington. — After  the  fall  of  Fort  Fisher, 
General  Hoke,  the  Confederate  commander  of  the  district, 
gathered  what  forces  he  corild  and  intrenched  a line  two  miles 
above  the  southern  end  of  Myrtle  Sound, — a line  that  ex- 
tended across  to  Cape  Fear  River  on  the  opposite  side  of  Fort 
Anderson.  The  river  channel  Avas  filled  Avith  torpedoes  and 
other  obstructions. 

General  Terry  did  not  endeav’or  to  make  any  adA^ance  until 
further  reinforcements  Avere  received.  General  Schofield, 
with  the  Twenty-third  Corps  had  left  Eastport,  Alabama, 
January  IJ,  and  had  arrh’ed  at  Alexandria  on  the  23rd. 
From  here  Schofield  embarked  Avith  Cox’s  division 
for  Fort  Fisher,  Avhere  he  arrived  February  9.  The 
remainder  of  the  Twenty-third  Corps  soon  followed  and  part 
of  it  landed  at  jSieAV  Berne.  Schofield  was  now  intrusted 
Avith  the  command  of  the  Horth  Carolina  Department,  with 
an  army  of  20,000  men  under  his  immediate  command. 

On  the  12th  and  11th  Terry  attempted  to  turn  Hoke’s  left 


330 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


wing,  but  \Tgilance  on  the  part  of  the  Confederates  and  the 
severe  weather  caused  Mm  to  fail.  Cox’s  division  and  Ames’ 
were  now  sent  across  the  river,  and  on  the  18th  forced  an  evac- 
uation of  Fort  Anderson,  which  resiilted  in  the  capture  of  10 
gims  and  considerable  anununition. 

Hoke  now  abandoned  his  fortifications  on  the  east  hank, 
and  moved  back  to  Wilmington.  The  Federals  followed  rap- 
idly and  at  length,  on  the  night  of  February  21  General 
Hoke  abandoned  the  city  after  destroying  the  military  and 
naval  stores,  including  the  vessels  of  which  the  Federals 
might  have  made  use. 

The  loss  of  Wilmingfon  was  another  sledge-hammer  blow 
to  the  tottering  Confederacy.  It  destroyed  one  of  its  greatest 
sources  of  supplies. 


CHAPTER  LI 


CAPTURE  OF  MOBILE 

After  General  Thomas  had  defeated  Hood’s  army  and 
General  Sherman  had  reached  the  city  of  Savannah,  General 
Grant,  in  a conference  with  the  Federal  authorities  at  Wash- 
ington, beg’an  to  devise  methods  whereby  they  could  capture 
the  City  of  Mobile,  which  the  Confederates  had  strongly 
fortified.  Gen.  Dick  Taylor  was  the  commander  in  this 
department,  but  Gen.  D.  H.  Maury,  with  a limited  number 
of  men,  was  in  immediate  command  at  Mobile.  The  forti- 
fications on  the  west  side  were  considered  so  powerful  that 
it  was  a very  hazardous  thing  to  make  an  attempt  to  capture 
the  city  from  this  point.  The  upper  part  of  the  bay  was 
shallow  and  filled  with  torpedoes  and  other  obstructions. 
Seven  miles  east  of  the  city  was  Spanish  Fort,- — -a  very 
strong  fortification,  tivo  miles  long, — garrisoned  by  1700 
infantry  and  700  artillerymen  under  Gen.  E.  Gibson. 

Fort  Tracy  and  Fort  Huger  commanded  the  mouth  of 
Blakely  River.  At  Blakely,  a short  distance  above  Mobile, 
was  a strong  line  of  fortifications  resting  on  high  ground. 
Gen.  St.  John  Lidell  commanded  the  works,  having  under 
him  2600  men. 

General  Canby,  to  whom  the  task  of  capturing  Mobile  was 
given,  had  command  of  three  full  army  corps,  consisting  of 
13,000  men  under  the  command  of  General  Granger,  16,000 
led  by  Gen.  A.  J.  Smith,  and  13,000  under  General  Steele,  be- 
sides some  3000  cavalry.  This  formidable  host  of  45,000  men 
was  well  equipped  with  engineers  and  plenty  of  heavy  artil- 
lery. To  cooperate  with  Canby’s  movements  Admiral 
Thatcher  was  ordered  from  Hew  Orleans  and  Gen.  J.  H. 

331 


332  HISTOEY  OE  THE  CIVIL  WAE 

Wilson,  with  a large  cavalry  force  of  13,000,  from  northern 
Alabama. 

On  the  21th  of  March  Granger  with  the  Thirteenth  Corps 
began  the  march  from  Eort  Morgan,  uniting  with  the  Six- 
teenth Corps  under  the  command  of  General  Smith,  on  the 
25th,  and  by  the  26th  of  the  month  was  in  the  neighborhood 
of  the  Sjjanish  Eort.  The  fort  was  closely  besieged  for  two 
weeks,  during  which  time  a terrific  bombardment  was  kept  up ; 
hut  Canby  drew  the  lines  daily  closer  around  the  besieged. 
The  Eederal  fleet  was  able  to  prevent  any  assistance  being 
rendered  General  Gibbon  by  the  Confederates  in  the  bay. 
On  April  8 Colonel  Bell  of  Carr’s  division,  made  an  assault, 
and  succeeded  in  gaining  a considerable  part  of  the  intrench- 
ments.  He  also  captured  about  300  soldiers. 

General  Maury  now  advised  General  Gibbon  to  withdraw 
his  troops.  Leaving  his  guns  and  stores,  the  garrison  was 
sent  direct  to  Mobile  before  the  morning  of  April  9.  The 
Eederals  had  taken  600  prisoners  and  30  guns. 

On  the  evening  of  the  11th  Colonel  Patton  also  abandoned 
Eorts  Huger  and  Tracy;  and  the  Eederal  fleet  now  moved 
up  the  east  bank  of  the  river  in  order  to  invest  Blakely 
Eortress.  Here  General  Paine  with  13,000  men  from  Pen- 
sacola, reinforced  them. 

Assault  on  Fort  Blakely. — It  was  Sunday  afternoon, 
April  the  9th,  when  Canhy’s  troops  arrived  before  Eort 
Blakely.  He  had  25,000  effective  infantrymen;  and  at  once 
decided  to  make  a direct  assault.  The  hour  set  for  the  grand 
advance  was  5 :30  p.  m.  The  sky  was  covered  with  clouds, 
while  the  thunder  came  rolling  in  to  announce  the  deadly  con- 
flict at  hand. 

The  obstructions  of  abatis  and  toi’pedoes  made  the  advance 
very  difficult.  At  the  word  “ Eonvard!  ” a line  nearly  three 
miles  long  rushed  onward,  to  become  entangled  in  the  meshes 
of  the  net  set  for  them  by  the  Confederates,  while  hundreds 
were  killed  or  wounded  by  a withering  fire  from  the  Confed- 


CAPTUEE  OF  MOBILE 


333 


erate  gams.  Gassard’s  division  of  the  Sixteenth.  Coi’ps  was  on 
the  left,  Veatch’s  and  Andrew’s  of  the  Thirteenth  was  in  the 
center,  while  on  the  right  was  the  negro  brigade  under  Haw- 
kins,— in  the  charge  these  negroes  showed  desperate  courage. 
In  one  hour  and  a half  the  Eederals  had  rushed  over  the 
embankments,  had  captured  the  works  with  the  40  pieces  of 
artillery,  a large  quantity  of  ammunition,  a number  of  battle- 
flags,  4000  small  arms,  and  had  taken  prisoner  General 
Thomas,  General  Cockrell  and  all  of  the  soldiers  in  the  fort. 
The  Confederates  had  lost  in  killed  and  wounded  450  men, 
while  the  Eederals  had  lost  very  nearly  1000  men. 

On  the  morning  of  April  10  General  Maury  commenced 
the  evaciiation  of  Mobile.  All  light  guns,  commissary  stores, 
and  ordnance  that  could  be  used  in  the  field  were  sent  up  the 
river ; while  all  the  forces  in  and  around  the  city  were  sent  up 
the  Tomhigbee  Eiver  to  Demopolis,  or  by  the  dirt  road  north 
to  Meridian,  Miss. 

Mobile  surrendered  on  the  12th,  and  on  the  13th  the  Fed- 
erals  occupied  the  city.  Three  days  before  this  occurred 
General  Lee  had  surrendered  the  remnant  of  his  heroic  army 
to  General  Grant  at  Appomattox. 


CHAPTER  LII 


Sherman’s  march  through  the  caroeinas,  inceuding  the 

FALL  OF  CHARLESTON  AND  SCHOFIELd’s  OPERATIONS 
AFTER  THE  FALL  OF  WILMINGTON 

General  Slieraian  was  visited  soon  after  bis  arrival  at  Sa- 
vannah by  the  Secretary  of  War,  Mr.  Stanton.  The  city  was 
turned  over  to  the  civil  authorities  with  certain  military 
restrictions.  General  Grant  had  ordered  General  Sherman 
to  transport  all  of  his  forces  to  Petersburg  by  sea,  hut  later 
deferred  to  the  judgment  of  Sherman,  Avho  considered  it  best 
to  make  the  march  through  the  Carolinas,  thus  coming  in 
south  of  Petersburg. 

Plans  of  the  March. — Sherman  noiv  tui'ned  his  atten- 
tion to  the  details  of  his  army  equipment.  His  plans 
were  completed;  but  the  movement  could  not  begin  until 
February  1 on  account  of  the  overfloiv  of  the  rivers.  He 
purposed  to  follow  the  ivatersheds  between  the  Savannah  and 
Combahee  Rivers  to  the  higher  ground  nearer  the  sources  of 
the  shalloAver  rivers.  Hoivard  was  to  concentrate  most  of  the 
right  wing  at  Beaufort,  while  part  of  the  corps  was  to  march 
by  the  Union  Causeivay  from  Beaufort  to  Pocotaligo.  Slo- 
cum’s left  Aving,  Avith  Logan  in  command  of  the  Fifteenth 
Corps,  was  to  move  up  the  Savannah  River  to  Robertsville, 
making  a feint  on  Augusta ; while  Howard  was  to  pretend  to 
make  a moAmment  against  Charleston.  All  their  armies,  how- 
ever, should  be  directed  to  Columbia,  S.  C.,  and  then  to 
Goldsboro,  H.  C.  The  railway  systems  Avere  all  to  be  de- 
stroyed on  the  march. 

On  the  last  day  of  January  IIoAvard  had  reached  Poco- 
taligo. At  this  time  Beauregard,  Hardee,  D.  H.  Hill,  and 

334 


SHERjMAjSt  m THE  CAEOLIE^AS 


335 


G.  W.  Smith  were  in  conference  at  Augusta.  There  were  in 
the  Carolinas  only  30,500  available  infantry  and  cavalry  with 
which  to  resist  the  combined  armies  under  Sherman  and 
Schofield, — armies  that  aggregated  85,000  men. 

Beauregard,  though  sick  and  exhausted,  assumed  command. 
The  outlook  was  desperate ; but  the  last  vestige  of  hope  for 
their  sinking  cause  was  clung  to  by  the  Confederates  with 
the  courage  of  heroes.  A small  force  of  militia  was  left 
in  AugTista  while  Beauregard,  with  only  part  of  Hood’s  old 
command,  led  his  army  to  Hewberry,  S.  C.,  Chester,  S.  C., 
and  Charlotte,  IsT.  C.  Hardee  retumed  to  Charleston,  and 
when  forced  to  abandon  the  city  moved  to  Cheraw,  S.  C. 
Wade  Hampton  was  recalled  from  Lee’s  army  to  assume 
command  of  the  cavalry. 

Sherman’s  aiuny  marched  under  the  greatest  difficulties. 
The  steady  downpour  of  rain  had  rendered  the  roads, — if  so 
they  could  be  called, — almost  impassable,  except  when  they 
were  made  passable  by  the  most  arduous  labor  of  the  Eed- 
eral  soldiers.  Wheeler’s  cavalry  was,  however,  practically 
the  only  opposition  of  armed  forces  with  which  they  had  to 
contend.  The  Confederates’  late  abandonment  of  Charleston 
allowed  Shennan  to  get  the  start  in  the  march  to  Columbia. 

On  February  3 the  Confederates  made  a stubborn  resist- 
ance at  the  River  Bridge,  near  Midway,  over  the  Salkahatchie, 
but  were  finally  driven  back  to  Branchville  by  the  corps 
under  General  Howard.  Sherman  now  concentrated  his 
army  between  Graham  and  Midway  on  the  South  Carolina 
Railroad.  On  the  12th  the  Confederates  again  endeavored 
to  check  the  Federal  advance  at  Orangeburg  on  the  north 
branch  of  the  Edisto  River,  birt  were  repulsed  and  by  4 
p.  m.  the  Federals  occupied  the  town. 

The  16th  of  February  found  Sherman’s  advance  opposite 
the  city  of  Columbia,  which  is  situated  on  the  Saluda  River. 
The  Confederates  destroyed  the  bridges  as  they  retreated, 
and  in  evacuating  the  city  burned  the  depots  in  the  north  and 


336 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


south  parts  of  the  city.  The  morning  of  February  17  Stone’s 
brigade,  of  Wood’s  division,  and  Logan’s  coi-ps  advanced  into 
and  occupied  the  streets  of  the  city.  Many  of  the  soldiers, 
stragglers,  and  released  prisoners  became  drunk,  robbery  of 
private  property  and  stores  was  frequent;  even  citizens  were 
deprived  of  their  personal  valuables.  Oi’der  was,  however, 
partially  restored  during  the  day.  The  great  conflagration 
did  not  begin  for  several  hours  after  the  last  of  the  Confed- 
erate troops  under  Gen.  Wade  Hampton  had  reluctantly  left 
the  city  in  the  early  morning  hour;  having  waited  imtil  the 
last,  hoping  to  receive  the  troops  and  reinforcements  that  they 
so  badly  needed. 

Destruction  of  Columbia. — How  the  destruction  of  Co- 
lumbia occurred  has  been  a bitterly  discussed  question  since 
the  fateful  night  of  February  17,  1865.  The  truth  is  all  any- 
one in  these  days  should  care  to  know  of  events  that  took  place 
nearly  half  a century  ago.  The  mayor,  Mr.  Good^vyn,  had 
been  assured  by  General  Sherman  that  only  the  arsenals,  foun- 
dries, machine-shops  and  government  buildings  would  be  de- 
stroyed. Gen.  Wade  Hampton,  it  has  beeu  stated  by  many 
Avriters,  was  the  one  who  fired  the  loose  cotton.  He  emphat- 
ically denies  the  allegation,  saying:  “ Hot  one  bale  was  on 
fire  Avhen  General  Sherman’s  troops  took  possession  of  the 
city.” 

General  Hampton  Avas  a man  AAdiose  word  Avas  aboA^e  re- 
proach. Many  eye-Avitnesses  bore  testimony  that  the  city 
Avas  fired  in  more  than  one  place,  that  the  citizens  Avere  hin- 
dered in  their  work  of  extingnishing  the  conflagration,  that  a 
score  or  more  of  places  Avere  burning  at  once,  and  that  the 
hose  Avas  cut  by  the  drunken  soldiers.  That  Generals  Sher- 
man, IIoAvard,  Logan,  and  Wood  endeavored  to  quiet  the 
disorder  and  ordered  Wood’s  division  to  check  the  terrible  fire 
cannot  be  doubted,  but  their  efforts  did  not  begin  early 
enough ; and  that  there  Avas  a deliberate  effort  made  by  many 
of  the  disorderly  part  of  the  army  to  destroy  Columbia  ap- 


SHERMAJT  lAT  THE  CAROLIE'AS 


337 


pears  to  be  a fact.  The  commander-in-chief  and  his  lieu- 
tenants must  bear  miich  of  the  censure  for  the  reign  of  terror 
that  prevailed.  Scarcely  any  part  of  the  city  had  escaped 
destruction  by  4 o’clock  the  next  morning.  After  burning 
all  tlie  arsenals,  factories,  and  government  buildings  that 
remained  on  the  18th  and  19th,  Shennan  resumed  his  march 
on  the  80th.  Before  leaving  he  provided  the  suffering  cit- 
izens of  Columbia  Avith  cattle  and  provisions  for  their  imme- 
diate necessities,  which  were  extreme. 

Hamlets,  villages,  forests,  and  fannhouses  throughout  the 
march  in  South  Carolina  met  the  same  fate  as  did  Columbia. 
South  Carolina,  the  first  of  the  States  to  secede,  was  severely 
punished. 

Fall  of  Charleston. — At  the  time  that  Sherman  was 
marching  toward  Columbia,  General  Hardee  occupied  Charles- 
ton, with  the  regular  garrison  and  the  troops  that  he  had 
taken  from  Savannah.  The  evacuation  was  suspended  until 
active  operations  by  General  Gilmore  and  the  fleet  were  begun 
against  the  city.  General  Hardee  saw  that  it  would  endanger 
the  Avhole  army  if  he  tried  to  hold  the  city  after  the  capture 
of  Columbia.  On  the  night  of  the  17th  of  February, — 
after  destroying  the  cotton,  Avarehoixses,  arsenals,  two  iron- 
clads and  the  shipyards, — Hardee  retreated  towards  Cheraw, 
S.  C.,  Avhere  a large  quantity  of  supplies  had  been  gathered, 
moA’ing  later  to  Charlotte  in  order  to  join  Beauregard;  and 
here  General  Cheatham  was  to  unite  Avith  them  his  forces, — 
a part  of  Hood’s  old  command. 

A terrible  tragedy  occurred  in  Charleston  at  3 :30  a.  m.  on 
the  18th,  just  previous  to  the  surrender.  An  explosion  of 
some  200  kegs  of  gunpowder,  in  the  Hortheastern  Railroad 
depot  resulted  in  the  death  and  injury  of  350  bystanders, 
many  of  Avhom  Avere  women  and  children.  Before  it  could 
be  controlled  the  fire  had  destroyed  several  squares  of  the 
city. 

At  9 o’clock  on  the  18th  the  city,  Avith  all  of  its  defensive 


338 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


forts, — including  Sumter,  Moultrie,  and  Castle  Pinckney, — 
foirmally  surrendered  to  the  forces  under  General  Gilmore. 
Among  the  effects  captured,  which  included  a large  number 
of  locomotives  and  cars,  were  several  heavy  guns. 

Charleston  had  been  besieged  since  July  10,  1863.  The 
houses  in  the  lower  part  of  the  city  showed  the  awful  effects 
of  the  havoc  wrought  by  the  frequent  and  prolonged  bombard- 
ment from  the  Federal  fleet.  The  pictures  of  desolation  pre- 
sented by  the  destruction  of  Columbia  and  the  fall  of  Charles- 
ton would  have  convinced  the  most  ardent  advocate  of  war  that 
anything, — other  than  dishonor  and  disgrace, — was  better 
than  war. 

General  Sherman  Enters  North  Carolina. — After  leav- 
ing Columbia  on  February  20,  the  main  hody  of  Sherman’s 
army  moved  toward  Winnsboro,  40  miles  from  Columbia, 
which  was  reached  on  the  21st.  Slocum’s  troops,  after  de- 
stroying the  branch  railroad  westward  to  Abbeville,  reached 
Winnsboro  on  the  22d.  Meanwhile  Logan’s  Fifteenth  Corps 
had  destroyed  20  miles  of  the  Charleston  Railroad  on  the  left 
bank  of  the  Congaree. 

Sherman  made  a demonstration  northward,  thus  giving  the 
impression  to  Beauregard  that  he  would  attack  Charlotte. 
The  heavy  rain-fall  until  the  26th  of  the  month  delayed  the 
march,  but  the  Federal  army  now,  in  spite  of  this,  crossed 
the  Catawba  River  and  moved  toward  Cheraw.  After 
burning  the  bridge  over  the  Wateree,  the  depot  and  sup- 
plies at  Camden,  and  skirmishing  with  Butler’s  cavalry, 
the  advance  division  of  the  Twentieth  Corps  entered  Chester- 
field on  the  2d  of  March,  while  the  right  wing,  under  Howard, 
captured  Cheraw  on  March  3.  A large  quantity  of  ammu- 
nition and  stores  were  taken,  with  3000  small  arms  and  28 
large  guns.  The  Confederates  retreated  across  the  Great 
Pedee,  burning  the  bridges.  The  Federals  now  moved  toward 
Fayetteville,  N.  C.,  the  left  wing  under  Slocum  with  the 
cavalry  crossing  the  Great  Pedee  at  Sneedsboro. 


SHEKMA^T  THE  CAEOLINAS 


339 


Hampton  Attacks  Kilpatrick. — During  the  early  morn- 
ing hours  of  March  10,  while  Kilpatrick  Avas  peacefully  sleep- 
ing at  a farmhouse  near  the  little  hamlet  of  Solemn  Grove, 
Wade  Hampton’s  cavalry  made  a surprise  attack  upon 
Spencer’s  brigade,  hut  Kilpatrick  succeeded  in  escaping  in 
his  nightclothes.  Spencer  and  his  staff  were  surrounded, 
and  several  hundred  men  were  captured ; and  had  it  not  been 
for  the  timely  arrival  of  Atkins  and  Jordan  with  their  brigades 
of  infantry,  strongly  supported  by  400  men  under  Colonel 
Stough  of  the  Kinth  Ohio  Cavalry,  the  disaster  would  have 
been  more  serious. 

Sherman’s  army  reached  Fayetteville  on  March  11,  and 
remained  there  until  the  15th.  Here  the  Confederates  had 
constructed  a large  arsenal  with  a quantity  of  the  machinery 
originally  brought  from  HaiTor’s  Feriy,  all  of  Avhich  Avas 
destroyed. 

General  Joseph  E.  Johnston  Again  in  Command, — 

General  Johnston  had  IKed  in  retirement  since  July,  1864. 
Gen.  R.  E.  Lee  uoaa^,  as  commander-in-chief  of  the  Confeder- 
ates, called  upon  him  to  resume  command  of  all  the  forces 
in  jSTorth  Carolina.  This  fact  was  not  known  to  General 
Sherman  until  March  3.  Johnston’s  total  forces, — including 
the  men  under  Hardee,  Beauregard,  Bragg,  and  Cheatham, 
and  the  garrison  at  Augusta, — • if  concentrated,  Avould  not 
amount  to  more  than  30,000  men ; while  Sherman’s  aggregate 
forces, — not  including  Schofield’s  and  Cox’s, — consisted  of 
60,079  men. 

The  Affair  at  Averysboro. — General  Sherman  aban- 
doned Fayetteville  on  the  morning  of  the  15th  of  March. 
General  Hardee  had  intrenched  himself  near  Averysboro 
with  the  purpose  of  delaying  Sherman  until  Johnston  should 
be  able  to  gather  the  fragments  of  his  once  splendid  aimy  in 
front  of  Sherman.  The  TAA^entieth  Corps,  under  General 
Williams,  maneuvered  Hardee  out  of  his  position  on  the  15th, 
capturing  Colonel  Ehett,  the  commander  of  the  brigade  that 


340 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


was  acting  as  real’  guard.  This  brigade  had  been  the  garrison 
at  Fort  Sumter,  but  after  Charleston  Avas  evacuated  had 
joined  Hardee’s  infantry  forces.  On  March  16  Ward’s  di- 
vision and  Jackson’s  of  the  Twentieth  Corps  attacked 
Ehett’s  brigade,  which  Avas  intrenched  betAveen  the  river  and 
the  swamp,  Avhile  Kilpatrick  operated  on  the  right  flank. 
Taliaferro’s  Confederate  division  Avas  forced  to  fall  back  to  be 
supported  by  McLaAvs.  Khett’s  brigade,  Avithout  a com- 
mander, Avas  driven  from  its  position  by  ovei’Avhelming  num- 
bers, losing  3 fleld  guns,  100  men  left  on  the  field,  and  200 
prisoners. 

The  Federal  advance  Avas  noAv  severely  checked  by  McLaAvs’ 
dhdsion.  The  Federals  had  lost  75  killed  and  500  Avounded. 
The  dark,  stormy  night  closed  the  combat ; and  during  the 
darkness  Hardee  and  his  men  retreated  over  the  miserable 
roads  to  Smithfield.  Sherman  folloAved  on  the  morning  of 
the  lYth.  The  next  three  days  tested  to  the  utmost  the  spirit 
of  the  Federal  soldiers  and  that  of  the  Confederates.  Almost 
incessant  rain,  Avretched  roads,  mud  so  deep  as  to  make  the 
movements  very  sIoav  AA'ere  part  of  the  trials  of  both  armies  as 
they  moved  toAvard  Bentonville. 

Bentonville. — The  experienced,  sagacious,  and  devoted 
Johnston  Avas  bending  all  his  energies  to  strike  Sherman’s 
army  a crippling  bloAv.  On  March  17  General  Bragg  and 
General  Hoke  were  near  Smithfield  and  about  4000  men 
under  General  SteAvart  Avere  in  the  same  vicinity.  General 
Hardee  Avas  at  Elevation,  a place  farther  from  Bentonville 
than  the  ordinary  maps  Avould  indicate,  being  tAvelve  miles 
distant  Avith  no  direct  road;  and  in  consequence  Hardee’s 
forces  Avere  not  able  to  join  Bragg,  Hoke,  and  SteAvart  until 
the  morning  of  March  19. 

Sherman’s  army,  under  Slocum  and  Howard,  Avere  moving 
on  the  18th  toward  Goldsboro.  The  Fourteenth  and  TAven- 
tieth  Corps,  under  Slocum,  moved  from  Averysboro,  and  the 
Fifteenth  and  Seventeenth  Corps,  under  Gen.  0.  O.  HoAvard, 


SHERMAi^  IN'  THE  CAROLIHAS 


341 


moved  bj  direct  road  to  Eayetteville.  The  two  wings  were 
thus  moving  on  lines  varying  from  six  to  twelve  miles  apart. 
On  the  night  of  March  18  Sherman  Avas  with  Slocum 
about  eight  miles  from  Bentonville, — a village  on  Mill  Creek, 
a branch  of  the  River  Heuse, — while  Howard  was  several 
miles  to  the  south  at  Lee’s  Store. 

Hot  knowing  that  Schofield  had  been  attacked  at  Kingston, 
on  the  morning  of  the  19th  Sherman  started  across  to  join 
Howard.  Some  of  the  divisions  were  widely  separated,  ovex’- 
confidence  had  caused  two  divisions  of  Davis’  Eourteenth 
Coi^s, — of  which  he  was  in  command, — to  become  separated 
fi’om  General  Williams,  with  the  Twentieth  Corps.  Early 
in  the  morning  of  the  19th  Wheeler’s  cavalxy  and  Hampton’s 
began  to  make  themselves  felt. 

The  Attack.  March  19. — By  10  o’clock  on  the  moiming 
of  the  19th,  Hoke’s  division,  Stewart’s  and  part  of  S.  D.  Lee’s 
were  lying  intrenched  before  the  advancing  Fedei’als.  Davis, 
near  the  noon  hour,  began  a vigorous  assault,  Caidin  drove 
Hamptoix’s  cavalry  back  in  some  confusion,  and  with  Moi*- 
gan’s  division  on  the  Eederals’  left,  came  upon  the  breast- 
works. Caidin’s  division  was  in  tixirn  driven  back  in  dis- 
order, while  Miles’  brigade,  which  connected  Carlin  and 
Morgan,  was  broken ; but  Morgan’s  division  held  its  ground 
firmly. 

Carlin  now  ordei’ed  Hearing’s  brigade,  w'hich  was  held 
in  reserve,  to  chai’ge.  The  center  of  the  Confederate  line 
had  been  driven  back  and  hard  pressed.  McLaws’  division 
and  Taliaferro’s  had  now  arrived,  and  began  to  aid  Hoke 
and  Bates,  the  latter  of  whom  was  now  in  command  of  the 
remnant  of  Cheatham’s  coi’ps,  which  had  been  able  to  reach 
the  field  of  battle ; while  Smith  commanded  part  of  Cleburne’s 
corps.  The  impetuous  attack  of  Bates’  command, — who 
wished  to  clear  themselves  of  the  charges  that  had  been 
brought  against  them  after  the  Battle  of  Nashville, — had 
driven  to  the  rear  the  brigade  that  was  in  their  front.  Wil- 


342 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


Hams,  soon  after  the  fighting  began,  hurried  forward  the 
Twentieth  Corps.  Eobinson’s  brigade  soon  became  actively 
engaged,  and  about  4 p.  m.  Cogswell’s  brigade  came  into 
action.  Desperate  fighting  continued  on  both  sides  until  dark. 
The  Federal  artillery  fire  had  been  especially  destructive, 
while  the  Confederates  were  lacking  in  that  arm  of  the  service. 
During  the  night  Hazen’s  division,  with  the  guard  of  the 
wagon-train,  began  to  arrive. 

During  the  night  Johnston  withdrew  to  his  line  intrench- 
ments,  his  flank  resting  on  Mills  Creek.  By  the  afternoon 
of  the  20th  Sherman’s  whole  army  was  confronting  Johnston’s 
army,  which,  however,  he  did  not  attack.  On  the  21st  skir- 
mishing and  some  artillery  firing  was  resorted  to,  but  the 
Federal  attacks  were  not  effective.  By  daybreak  of  the  22d 
Johnston  had  safely  removed  his  army,  with  the  exception  of 
some  seriously  wounded  soldiers,  back  toward  Smithfield. 

Eesults:  Slocum  had  been  surprised.  The  Fourteenth 
and  Twentieth  Corps,  with  part  of  the  cavali-y  under  Kil- 
patrick, had  been  engaged  in  the  fight  and  before  it  was 
over  practically  all  of  Sherman’s  army  was  facing  that 
of  Johnston.  The  Confederates  actively  engaged  did 
not  number  at  the  most  over  14,500  men,  while  the  forces  of 
the  Federals,  brought  into  the  battle  from  first  to  last,  was 
nearly  40,000.  The  total  loss  of  the  Federals  was  1604  in 
killed  and  wounded  and  several  hundred  prisoners.  The 
Confederate  losses  were  1673  killed  and  wounded,  with  300 
prisoners.  It  is  difficult  to  know  the  exact  losses  of  either 
side  in  this  conflict  on  account  of  the  number  of  contradictory 
reports. 

Although  the  battle  of  Bentonville  was  not  one  of  the 
great  battles  of  the  war,  it  was,  however,  one  of  great  im- 
portance and  much  was  at  stake  on  both  sides ; for  it  was  one 
of  the  last  opportunities  the  Confederates  had  to  redeem  the 
dying  Confederacy.  Had  Sherman  received  a severe  repulse, 
possibly  Johnston  could  have  joined  General  Lee  in  Virginia 


SHEEMAX  THE  CAEOLIAE\S 


343 


and  prolonged  the  war.  The  result,  however,  hastened  to 
bring  the  long  struggle  to  a rapid  close  on  account  of  Johns- 
ton’s inability  to  check  the  advance  of  Sherman’s  army. 

The  Battle  of  Kingston. — After  the  occupation  of  Wil- 
mington by  Schofield,  General  Palmer  and  5000  men  were 
immediately  sent  with  orders  to  march  from  Xew  Berne  and 
occupy  Kingston,  a small  town,  32  miles  up  the  Xeuse  River, 
and  22  miles  from  Goldsboro.  Euger’s  division  of  the 
Twenty-third  Corps,  was  also  sent  from  Fort  Fisher  to  rein- 
force him.  On  account  of  General  Palmer  being  delayed. 
General  Cox  was  placed  in  command  and  reached  Xew  Berne 
on  the  last  day  of  February.  On  March  1 the  advance  began. 
Gen.  I.  X.  Palmer  and  General  Carter  commanded  their  re- 
spective divisions. 

The  Confederates,  after  evacuating  Wilmington,  had  gone 
toward  Goldsboro  and  Hoke’s  division  was  reported  to  be  near 
Kingston.  The  great  Dover  Swamp  lay  between  Xew  Berne 
and  Kingston.  General  Cox  had  sent  (March  7)  Palmer’s 
division  and  Carter’s  to  occupy  the  high  ground  and  the 
railroad  some  four  and  a half  miles  south  of  Kingston,  be- 
tween Southwest  Eiver  and  Dover’s  Swamp.  The  same  day 
Schofield  reached  the  field,  and  on  the  8th  was  in  communica- 
tion with  Cox.  The  Confederates,  commanded  by  General 
Bragg,  made  a sharp  attack  on  the  Federals  during  the  day, 
and  succeeded  in  capturing  935  men  of  Hpham’s  command. 
The  Federals  now  formed  a new  line  of  battle,  making  a 
strong  barricade  that  covered  their  front.  On  the  9th  con- 
siderable skirmishing  occurred. 

The  Confederates  made  a serious  effort  to  overwhelm 
Carter  on  the  left.  This  occurred  on  the  10th  of  March. 
Schofield  and  Cox  were  both  present  with  their  forces,  as 
were  Bragg,  Hoke,  and  D.  H.  Hill,  with  Clayton,  formerly 
of  Stewart’s  army,  and  Stephen  D.  Lee,  of  Hood’s  army. 
After  considerable  loss  Bragg  saw  the  great  sacrifice  a persist- 
ent assault  would  occasion,  and  during  the  night  withdrew 


344 


HISTOET  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


his  forces  to  Kingston,  hastening  to  join  Johnston  in  the 
vicinity  of  Bentonville.  Bragg’s  army  now  consisted  of  8500 
men  of  his  own  command  and  3500  of  the  Army  of  Tennessee, 
while  Schofield  and  Cox  had  about  14,000  men  engaged. 

The  Federals  lost  1257  men, — about  322  of  whom  were 
killed  or  wounded.  The  Confederate  losses  were  not  def- 
initely known,  but  probably  amounted  to  1000.  Schofield 
occupied  Kingston  March  14,  and  sent  orders  to  Terry  to  ad- 
vance from  Wilmington  to  Goldsboro  over  the  railroad. 
Terry  reached  Faison  Station  on  the  20th  of  the  month, — a 
place  20  miles  south  of  the  Keuse.  On  the  19th,  while  the 
battle  of  Bentonville  was  being  fought,  Schofield  was  still 
at  Kingston,  but  he  reached  Goldsboro  on  the  21st,  where  the 
great  armies  of  Ohio,  Tennessee,  and  Georgia  were  being 
assembled  under  the  command  of  Sherman,  who  had  moved 
there  after  the  battle  of  Bentonville. 

Sherman  Confers  with  Lincoln  and  Grant  at  City 
Point. — After  seeing  that  the  army  was  well  supplied  with 
provisions,  clothes,  and  shoes,  Schofield  was  left  in  charge. 
Sherman  now  proceeded  by  rail  to  Morehead  City  and  from 
there  to  City  Point.  Here  he  was  fortunate  enough  to  meet 
Grant,  Lincoln,  and  also  Admiral  Porter  on  the  evening  of 
March  27.  Their  conference  was  one  of  the  most  important 
of  the  whole  war.  The  careworn  and  anxious  heart  of  Lin- 
coln was  crying:  “ Stop  this  bloodshed.  What  signify  the 
terms  so  long  as  we  get  peace  ? ” 

Grant  and  Sherman  expressed  the  opinion  that  there  would 
yet  be  a severe  battle.  This  was  the  last  time  that  Sherman 
ever  saw  Lincoln.  On  March  30  Sherman  returned  to  Golds- 
boro with  authority  to  make  some  changes  that  were  deemed 
necessary  in  the  organization  of  his  army.  The  supplying 
and  refitting  of  the  army  was  rapid  and  it  was  knowm  on 
April  5 that  a new  campaign  would  open  in  five  days. 

The  march  of  the  army  of  Shennan  across  the  Carolinas 
had  been  more  difficult  than  the  March  to  the  Sea.  The 


SHEEMx\IT  m THE  CAROLIEtAS 


345 


almost  impassable  roads,  the  excessive  rain,  and  the  harassing 
tactics  of  the  small  heroic  Confederate  command  did  not 
make  it  appear  to  be  such  a holiday  parade. 

Dying  embers  are  not  as  attractive  as  the  blazing  fire  or 
the  glowing  coals,  but  the  elements  of  an  exliansted,  waning 
life  when  stamped  in  heroic  mold  will  excite  the  admiration 
and  pity  even  of  its  enemy.  The  efforts  that  the  Confederate 
generals  and  their  soldiers  had  made  to  stem  the  surging 
tide  of  the  Federals’  onward  sweep  were  both  courageous  and 
pitiful  in  the  extreme. 

In  the  Carolinas  the  destruction  of  property,  the  details  of 
which  are  not  fitting  for  the  eyes  of  a united  people  to  read 
and  ponder  over,  had  been  enoiunous.  The  lesson  for  all  to 
leam  is  that  warfare,  especially  civil  warfare,  is  one  of  the 
greatest  scourges  that  ever  cursed  mankind. 


CHAPTER  LIII 

stoneman’s  east  eaid,  march  20-april  20,  1865 

Before  entering  upon  a narrative  of  the  campaign  in  Vir- 
ginia under  Grant  and  Lee, — the  culmination  of  which  prac- 
tically marked  the  downfall  of  the  Confederacy, — a survey 
will  be  taken  of  the  destructive  expeditions  made  by  two  of 
the  active  cavalrymen  of  the  Federal  army,  Stoneman  and 
Wilson. 

According  to  Grant’s  plan.  General  Stoneman,  who  had 
returned  to  Knoxville  after  his  capture  of  Saltville,  Va.,  on 
December  20,  was  to  move  with  his  cavalry  into  the  Carolinas 
simultaneously  with  Sherman’s  advance. 

It  was  not,  however,  until  March  20,  one  day  after  the  battle 
of  Bentonville,  that  Stoneman  was  ready  to  make  his  advance. 
The  commanA  consisted  of  Gillem’s  division, — under  the 
brigade  commanders.  Palmer,  Miller,  and  Brown, — contain- 
'mg  fully  6000  men.  Miller’s  brigade  was  sent  toward 
Bristol,  Tenn,,  while  the  rest  reached  Jonesboro,  in  the  ex- 
treifie  eastern  part  of  Tennessee,  March  26.  A small  force 
of  (Jonfedci'ates  under  General  Jackson  was  all  the  opposition 
wita  whick  he  had  to  contend. 

0n  Match  28  Stoneman  reached  Boone,  N.  C.,  having 
Hisvecl  dortn  the  Watauga  Valley.  Here  a small  force  of  200 
home  ,^fuards  was  captured.  Crossing  the  Blue  Ridge, — after 
capturing  and  destroying  many  supplies  at  Wilkerson  and 
a bridge  ovei’  +he  Yadkin  River  at  Jonesville, — the  main 
body  of  the  Federals  now  proceeded  to  Jacksonville.  Miller 
was  sent  to  Wytheville  to  destroy  the  railroad  and  to  capture 
the  supplies  gathered  there  for  the  Confederates  under  Lee. 
This  he  did  on  April  6 and  7,  while  Lee  was  desperately  try- 

346 


STOXEMA^sT’S  LAST  EAID 


347 


ing  to  extricate  himself  from  the  toils  in  which  Grant’s  great 
army  had  enmeshed  him. 

Major  "Wag-ner,  of  Stoneman’s  forces,  captured  Salem,  Va., 
and  moved  within  a few  miles  of  Lynchburg,  destroying  the 
railroad.  Between  Danville  and  Greensboro,  hi.  C.,  the  rail- 
road was  destroyed  by  Stoneman  after  he  had  gathered  his 
forces  near  Christianburg.  He  destroyed  large  quantities  of 
supplies  and  captured  a number  of  prisoners  at  Salem,  H.  C., 
on  April  10. 

At  Grant’s  Creek,  10  miles  from  Salisbury,  the  Confed- 
erates had  gathered  a considerable  force  under  Gardiner  and 
Pemberton,  the  latter  of  whom  was  now  serving  the  Confed- 
eracy, although  reduced  to  the  rank  of  a colonel.  The  great 
misfortune  that  had  befallen  him  at  Vicksburg  had  brought 
censure  and  rebuke  upon  his  head.  Although  his  critics  had 
accused  him  of  the  greatest  incompeteney  and  his  slanderers 
of  treasonable  designs,  yet  his  heart  still  led  him  to  fight 
loyally  and  in  an  humble  position  for  the  cause  he  loved  to 
the  last. 

The  Confederate  forces  were  routed,  about  1000  men,  18 
guns,  and  some  3000  small  arms  were  captured.  Stoneman 
occupied  Salisbury  on  April  12,  and  the  usual  process  of 
destruction  was  resorted  to  ; enormous  quantities  of  provisions, 
clothes,  medicine,  cotton,  ammunition,  four  factories,  and 
military  supplies  were  burned.  On  the  19th  Maj.  E.  C. 
Motherwell  destroyed  the  railroad  bridge  across  the  Catawba 
near  Dallas, — the  bridge  over  which  President  Davis  had 
fled  from  Charlotte.  Motherwell  evaded  the  Confederate 
forces  under  Generals  Vaughan  and  Duke,  and  on  the  20th 
rejoined  General  Stoneman,  w’ho  was  now  retreating  to 
Tennessee,  after  one  of  the  most  destructive  cavalry  raids  that 
had  occurred  during  the  war. 

Wilson’s  Expedition  into  Alabama.—  The  cavalry 
under  Wilson’s  command,  which  had  been  refitted  and  drilled 
at  Gravelly  Springs,  Ala.,  nine  miles  south  of  Elorence,  was 


348 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


visited  by  Thomas  on  February  23,  1805.  The  plan  Avas 
made  for  Wilson  to  destroy  the  iron  centers  in  Alabama,  co- 
operating Avith  Canby  in  his  movements  against  Mobile  by  pre- 
venting the  Confederates’  sending  reinforcements. 

It  Avas  not  until  March  23  that  Wilson  Avas  prepared  for  his 
expedition.  Wilson  had  17,000  men  imder  the  commands  of 
Ujiton,  Long,  and  McCook;  Avhile  another  division  had  been 
sent  to  Vicksburg.  They  had  six  batteries,  250  Avagons,  and 
30  pontoon  boats.  Each  cavalryman  had  five  days’  rations, 
an  extra  pair  of  horseshoes,  and  100  rounds  of  ammunition. 

Gen.  IST.  B.  Forrest  had  been  made  lieutenant-general  on 
February  28,  1865,  and  Gen.  Eichard  Taylor  Avas  valiantly 
striving  to  gather  a force  sufficiently  large  to  check  Wilson’s 
move  toAvard  Selma,  Avhich  Avas  the  Federals’  objective  point. 

Selma  is  a toAvn  150  miles  from  Mobile,  situated  on  the 
Alabama  Eiver.  This  river  is  navigable  for  large  boats,  and 
a railroad  connected  the  toAvn  Avith  Demopolis  and  Talladega. 
It  Avas  a most  important  place,  because  one  of  the  largest 
arsenals  in  the  Confederacy  Avas  operating  here.  This  same 
country  Avas  rich  in  history,  for  General  Jackson  had  aa'OU 
fame  in  the  Creek  Indian  War  in  this  Aucinity. 

Forrest’s  forces  Avere  greatly  scattered.  General  Jackson’s 
cavalry  division  Avas  at  West  Point,  and  Chalmers’  division 
was  at  Cobimbus,  Miss.  Eoddey  Avith  one  brigade  Avas  pick- 
eting in  northern  Alabama,  Avhile  Col.  EdAvard  Crossland’s 
brigade,  some  of  Gen.  Daniel  Adams’  brigade,  and  200  men 
of  Armstrong’s  command  AA'ere  all  the  available  forces  General 
^ Forrest  could  concentrate.  In  all  there  Avere  about  2000  men 
to  meet  the  army  Avhich  General  Wilson  Avas  bringing  against 
F orrest. 

On  starting  south  Wilson  had  sent  Croxton’s  brigade,  of 
General  McCook’s  division,  to  Tuscaloosa  to  destroy  the  fac- 
tories and  public  property. 

Concentrating  at  Jasper,  80*  miles  south  of  Tuscumbia, 
on  the  31st  Wilson  reached  Montevallo,  a rich  iron  manufac- 


STOI^EMAI^’S  last  raid 


349 


tiiriug  town,  50  miles  north  of  Selma.  At  Montevallo  part 
of  Eoddev’s  brigade  offered  some  resistance;  but  the  Eederals 
succeeded  in  capturing  some  and  driving  the  other  troopers 
further  south. 

At  Boyle  Creek  a desperate  haud-to-hand  conflict  occurred 
between  the  small  forces  of  Confederates  under  Forrest  and 
the  Eederals.  A desperate  effort  was  made  to  kill  Forrest. 
Long  and  Epton  converged  their  forces  and  endeavored  to 
crush  Eoddey’s  brigade  and  Crossland’s.  In  the  melee  For- 
rest killed  Captain  Taylor,  a daring  Federal  ofiicer,  and  suc- 
ceeded in  drawing  off  his  own  forces  toward  Selma.  Arm- 
strong’s brigade,  of  Jackson’s  division,  was  found  and  hurried 
in  advance  to  Selma  with  orders  to  urge  Chalmers  to  hasten  to 
that  place.  A courier  of  Forrest’s  was  captured  by  Wilson 
on  the  morning  of  April  2,  from  whom  was  obtained  much 
valuable  information  as  to  the  position  of  Forrest’s  scattered 
troops.  He  learned  that  Jackson  was  30  miles  to  the  north- 
west, between  the  Cohawla  and  Black  Warrior  rivers,  and 
that  Chalmers  was  at  Marion,  30  miles  to  the  southwest.  By 
a mistake  in  telegraphing  Chalmers  had  caused  his  command 
to  be  farther  separated  from  his  chief. 

Battle  of  Selma. — Forrest  and  his  troopers,  after  a hasty 
retreat,  reached  Selma  on  the  morning  of  April  2.  Here  he 
held  a hurried  conference  with  Taylor.  The  latter  immedi- 
ately left  on  the  train  for  Demopolis  in  order  to  send  forward 
what  troops  he  could  gather  to  aid  Forrest,  who  was  now  ar- 
ranging his  small  forces  to  defend  the  town ; even  boys  and  old 
men  were  gathered  to  help  in  the  defense.  All  ordnance  and 
military  supplies  had  been  sent  as  fast  as  possible  out  of  the 
town.  The  fortifications  were  strong,  with  good  ditches  and 
palisades;  but  Forrest’s  command  was  so  small  that  the  fortifi- 
cations could  not  be  covered.  W ilson,  although  he  had  marched 
24  miles  the  day  before  and  had  fought  late  at  night,  began 
his  march  toward  Selma  at  early  dawn.  He  reached  the  out- 
skirts by  noon  of  the  2d,  before  Jackson  and  Chalmers  could 


350 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


come  to  Forrest's  assistance.  After  great  difficulty  in 
establishing  his  lines,  late  in  the  evening  Wilson  ordered  Long 
and  Upton  to  make  an  attack  at  two  separate  points.  After  a 
short  hut  fierce  assault  the  lines  were  broken,  and  Forrest, 
seeing  all  efforts  to  save  the  town  useless,  ordered  Roddey  and 
Armstrong  to  make  their  escape  Avith  their  brigades  by  the 
Montgomery  road  toAvard  Burnsville.  Going  around  the  Fed- 
eral forces  on  the  north,  they  reached  Plantersville  the  fol- 
loAA’ing  morning.  In  a skirmish  on  the  way  Forrest  slew  a 
Federal  cavalryman.  There  Avas  probably  no  soldier  in  the 
Civil  War  Avho  had  had  more  desperate  personal  encounters; 
up  to  this  time  definite  records  show  that  30  horses  had  been 
killed  under  him  and  29  men  had  fallen  by  his  hand. 

Evading  McCook’s  brigades  on  the  w^ay  to  Marion  on  April 
4 he  Avas  joined  by  Jackson’s  brigade  and  Chalmers’. 

General  Wilson,  by  his  rapid  march  and  successful  concen- 
tration of  his  large  force,  had  gained  a successful  and  im- 
portant victory  OA^er  Forrest,  whose  forces  Avere  inferior  in 
numbers  and  greatly  scattered.  The  Federals  captured  32 
guns  and  2000  prisoners,  besides  destroying  the  arsenals, 
machine-shops,  large  quantities  of  supplies,  and  many  thou- 
sand bales  of  cotton.  On  the  4th  Tuscaloosa  was  captured, 
and  marching  on  to  Montgomery,  Wilson,  on  April  14,  occu- 
pied this  city,  AAdiere  five  steamboats  and  many  stores  fell  into 
his  hands. 

By  forced  marches  Wilson  sent  out  part  of  his  command 
tOAvard  Columbus,  and  on  to  West  Point,  AAliich  Avere  captured 
by  Wilson’s  soldiers  on  April  16.  At  West  Point  300  prison- 
ers and  4 guns  were  taken,  as  Avell  as  a number  of  locomotives 
and  cars,  Avhile  at  ColumbiAs  his  prizes  were  even  more  val- 
uable, being  about  as  great  as  at  Selma:  1500  prisoners,  52 
guns,  along  Avith  the  destruction  of  a considerable  amount  of 
public  property. 

Macon,  Ga.,  Avas  surrendered  April  20  by  Gen.  Howell 
Cobb,  and  60  guns  and  1200  militia  Avere  taken. 


STONEMAN’S  LAST  RAID 


351 


The  news  of  Lee’s  surrender  had  reached  him  and  the 
knowledge  that  President  Davis  Avas  fleeing  southward  with 
his  family  caused  Wilson  to  send  the  Fourth  Michigan  cavalry 
in  pursuit  of  the  Confederate  President.  They  captured  Mr. 
Davis  on  the  morning  of  May  10  at  Irwinsville  in  southern 
Georgia. 

By  this  time  the  great  Civil  War  had  practically  come  to  a 
close.  Having  folloAved  Wilson’s  operations  to  the  end,  we 
must  turn  back  to  consider  the  more  important  military  opera- 
tions of  Lee  and  Grant  in  Virginia,  the  culmination  of  which 
was  really  the  death-bloAv  to  the  efforts  of  the  Southern  States 
in  their  heroic  attempt  to  establish  an  independent  nation. 


CHAPTER  LIV 


THE  YEAE  1865  IN  OLD  VIEGINIA 

Lee’s  Final  Effort  to  Save  Petersburg  and  Richmond. 

— At  an  early  hour  during  the  morning  of  January  24  a 
small  fleet  of  Confederate  vessels,  3 ironclads, — the  Virginia, 
Richmond,  and  Frederichsbnrg, — with  12  guns,  accompanied 
hy  4 wooden  vessels,  a steamer,  and  3 small  torpedo  boats, 
passed  Fort  Brady,  the  Federal  Fort  on  the  James  River, 
Their  purpose  was  to  make  a destructive  attack  on  City  Point. 

The  Federal  guns  at  Fort  Brady  opened  an  active  Are  on 
the  Confederate  vessels,  and  succeeded  in  completely  wreck- 
ing the  Drewy,  one  of  the  wooden  vessels,  which  had  stranded 
at  Dutch  Gap.  A Federal  shell  striking  her  magazine  caused 
an  explosion,  which  completely  destroyed  her.  The  Confed- 
erates now  retired  up  the  river. 

Grant  Resumes  Activity  Against  Lee’s  Right. — 

Gregg’’s  division  of  cavalry  started  on  a movement  toward 
Dinwiddle  Court  House  at  3 a.  m.,  February  5.  Gregg  was 
to  cooperate  with  the  Fifth  Corps  under  Warren  and  the  Sec- 
ond Corps  commanded  by  General  Humphrey.  The  second 
and  third  divisions  were  under  General  Smythe  and  General 
]\Iott.  Humphrey’s  divisions  were  ordered  to  operate  against 
the  Confederates  at  Hatcher’s  Run.  The  main  purpose  of 
this  expedition  was  to  get  a hold  on  the  South  Side  Railroad 
and  thus  force  General  Lee  to  evacuate  Petersburg. 

By  nightfall  Gregg’s  cavalry  encamped  at  Rowantz’s 
Creek. 

Battle  of  Hatcher’s  Run. — De  Trobriand’s  brigade  of 
Mott’s  division,  which  was  leading,  struck  the  Confederates 
at  Hatcher’s  Run  on  the  Vaughan  Road,  and  succeeded  in 

352 


THE  YEAK  1865  IH  OLD  YIEGIHIA  353 


intrenching  themselves  hevond  the  ford.  x\t  4:20  p.  m. 
McAllister’s  brigade  and  Murphy’s,  of  Smythe’s  division, 
were  attacked  by  Gordon’s  men.  Darkness  closed  the  combat, 
while  no  material  advantage  had  been  gained  by  either  side. 

On  the  forenoon  of  the  6th  the  battle  began  with  a general 
cavalry  engagement.  Pegram’s  brigade  and  Evans’,  of  Gor- 
don’s corps,  and  Mahone’s  division,  of  A.  P.  Hill’s,  after 
desperate  fighting  in  a swampy  and  rough  country,  at  length 
succeeded  in  driving  the  divisions  of  Crawford  and  Ayres  of 
the  Fifth  Coiids  and  Wheaton’s  division  of  the  Sixth  Corps, 
along  Avith  Gregg's  cavalry,  in  a confused  retreat  back  to 
Hatcher's  Pun  and  the  Yaughan  Eoad. 

The  Confederates  sustained  a gveat  loss  in  the  death  of 
General  Pegram.  They  had  also  nearly  a thousand  men 
killed,  Avounded,  and  missing.  The  Federal  losses  amounted 
to  more  than  1500. 

Last  Efforts  of  Lee. — During  the  latter  part  of  February 
General  Lee  had  for  active  service  in  and  around  Petersburg 
and  Richmond  35,000  men,  Avith  which  to  protect  40  miles  of 
defenses,  Avhich  extended  from  Richmond  to  Hatcher  Run 
beyond  Petersburg  and  to  tlie  South  Side  Railroad. 

Their  duties  Avere  incessant  and  fatiguing. 

For  Lee  eA’en  to  supply  his  army  Avith  food  and  clothes 
Avas  a most  trying  task. 

Opposed  to  this  rapidly  diminishing  army  Grant  had  a 
magmificent  army  of  160,000  men,  well  fed  and  AA’ell  equipped. 
It  was  now  a hopeless  part  the  Confederates  Avere  playing; 
yet  in  the  brave  hearts  of  Lee  and  his  little  army  there  still 
dickered  a hope  that  had  not  yet  turned  to  despair. 

Sheridan  Moves  from  Winchester. — In  order  to  destroy 
all  Lee’s  communications  north  of  the  James  before  pushing 
operations  south  of  the  James  Grant  sent  orders  to  Sheridan 
to  press  on  toAvard  Lynchburg,  destroy  the  railroad  canal  of 
the  James,  and  later  reinforce  Sherman. 

With  10,000  cavalrymen,- — under  Merritt,  Custer,  and 


354 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


Colonel  Capehart, — and  4 guns,  on  February  27  Sheridan 
started  up  the  Old  Valley  Pike.  Although  the  heavy  rains  of 
winter  had  swollen  the  streams  and  made  the  I'oads  very  bad, 
the  Federal  cavalry  moved  fast;  they  entered  Staunton  March 
2.  The  inhabitants,  knowing  of  Sheridan’s  approach,  had 
fled  from  the  place,  taking  their  valuables  vdth  them. 

Early  at  Waynesboro. — General  Early,  with  a remnant 
of  his  once  formidable  army,  had  retreated  to  Waynesboro 
on  the  South  Eiver,  13  miles  southeast  of  Staunton.  Here, 
with  something  over  a thousand  men,  on  March  2 Early  was 
attacked  by  Custer’s  division  and  Capehart’s  brigade.  The 
Confederates  rvere  soon  routed,  the  Federals  captured  two- 
thirds  of  their  number,  several  giins,  battle-flags,  and  a large 
quantity  of  provisions.  General  Early  succeeded  in  escaping 
to  Charlottesville.  This  was  the  unfortunate  ending  of  the 
general’s  military  career. 

The  cajjtured  Confederates  were  sent  back  toward  Win- 
chester under  a heavy  escort,  on  wFich  General  Rosser,  with 
a small  force,  made  a bold  attack  at  the  crossing  of  the  north 
fork  of  the  Shenandoah  (March  6),  but  was  driven  off. 

Sheridan  reached  Charlottesville  late  on  the  3d,  having  de- 
stroyed the  railroads  and  bridges,  and  waited  there  two  days 
for  his  wagon-trains  to  arrive. 

Sheridan  now  sent  troops  to  destroy  the  railroad  and 
bridges  toward  Lynchburg  and  Richmond,  but  decided  not  to 
capture  Lynchburg.  One  force  destroyed  the  James  River 
Canal  to  Hew  Market,  while  another  force  destroyed  the  rail- 
road to  Amherst  Court  House.  Sheridan,  unable  to  reach 
the  Sonth  Side  Railroad,  now  turned  down  the  James,  almost 
completely  destroying  the  canal’s  usefulness.  His  columns 
were  united  March  10  at  Columbia,  where  the  James  and 
Eivanna  rivers  join.  Moving  by  Ashland  Station,  he  crossed 
the  South  and  Horth  Anna  rivers,  and  proceeded  down  the 
Pamunkey  River,  arriving  at  White  House  March  19.  The 
Federals  had  no  respect  for  any  character  of  property  in  this 


THE  YEAE  1865  IH  OLB  VIEGIHIA  355 


raid ; the  loss  to  the  Confederates  was  enormous  and  greatly 
handicapped  the  Confederate  authox’ities  in  supplying  their 
soldiers  xvith  the  necessities  of  life.  By  March  27  Sheridan 
had  crossed  the  Jam^s  Eiver  and  joined  Grant’s  army  at 
Petersburg. 

Hare’s  Hill. — Toward  the  last  of  March  Lee  realized  that 
the  only  hope  for  the  Confederate  cause  was  for  him  to  forsake 
Eichmond  and  join  Johnston  in  Yorth  Carolina.  Through 
deserters  and  by  other  means  this  purpose  became  known  to 
Grant. 

This  was  one  of  the  most  trying  periods  of  the  military 
career  of  General  Grant,  who  said  in  his  report : “ I spent 

days  of  anxiety,  lest  each  morning  should  bring  the  report  that 
the  enemy  had  retreated  the  night  before.” 

Lee  determined  to  carry  out  his  plans.  Supplies  were 
ordered  to  be  accumulated  at  Amelia  Court  House, — the 
purpose  being  to  move  down  the  Danville  Eailroad.  He 
found  it  necessary  to  drive  Grant  from  Boydton  Eoad.  Eort 
Steadman, — situated  on  Hare’s  Hill,  about  two  miles  from 
Appomattox  Eiver, — was  guarded  by  the  ISTinth  Coi’ps  and 
had  to  be  captured. 

At  daylight,  March  25,  the  brave  and  dashing  leader,  Gen. 
John  B.  Gordon,  with  two  divisions,  drove  the  Eederals  from 
Eort  Steadman,  and  occupied  the  fort,  with  its  500  yards  of 
breastworks,  and  captured  500  men,  with  little  loss  to  the 
Confederates.  Eor  lack  of  support  the  Confederates  were 
later  driven  from  the  works  or  captured.  This  was  the  last 
offensive  effort  General  Lee  was  justified  in  making.  The 
total  Confederate  loss  was  2500  men,  1900  of  whom  were 
captured.  The  Eederals  had  68  killed,  337  wounded,  and 
506  missing.  The  Confederate  general  could  scarcely  afford 
another  such  loss. 

The  Last  Struggle  Around  Petersburg. — Grant,  now 
aware  of  Lee’s  purpose,  moved  a strong  force  against  the 
Confederate  general’s  right,  commanded  by  A.  P.  Hill,  and 


356 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


consisting  of  three  divisions  that  extended  to  Hatcher’s  Run, 
On  the  morning  of  March  29  the  Federal  commander-in-chief 
ordered  Sheridan’s  command  to  Dinwiddie  Court  House,  and 
Warren’s  corps  down  to  White  Oak  Road.  Four  miles  to  the 
west  of  Lee’s  extreme  position  was  Five  Forks,  where  several 
roads  converged.  This  was  a very  important  strategic  point 
for  Lee,  and  one  that  Grant  now  hoped  to  gain.  It  was  the 
old  plan  of  outflanking  Lee.  Heavy  rains  on  March  30  pre- 
vented the  Federals’  active  movements.  Lee  was  forced 
to  strip  the  intrenchments  before  Petersburg  and  Richmond 
in  order  to  support  Hill, — leaving  only  about  7000  men, 
under  Longstreet,  to  guard  the  line  from  Petersburg  to  Rich- 
mond, with  Ewell  in  Richmond.  During  the  stormy  nights  of 
the  29th  and  30th  the  remnants  of  Pickett’s  division  and 
Bushrod  Johnson’s,  Wire’s  brigade  and  Ransom’s,  Huger’s 
battalion  and  Fitzhugh  Lee’s  cavalry  were  sent  to  A.  P.  Hill’s 
command;  making  15,000  men,  to  encounter  the  Federal 
columns  under  Sheridan,  Warren  and  Humphrey. 

Battle  of  Five  Forks. — On  the  30th  Sheridan’s  cavalry 
Avas  driven  back  from  the  vicinity  of  Five  Forks  to  within 
tAvo  miles  of  DinAviddie  Court  House. 

Early  on  Friday  morning,  the  31st,  Warren  jAi'essed  forward 
toAvard  the  Confederate  right  and  massed  his  forces  Avest  of 
Boydton  Road.  Sheridan  complained  that  Warren  Avas  sIoav 
in  his  movements,  and  had  not  properly  supported  him  on  the 
30th.  About  11  a.  m.  Ayi'es’  division  and  Crawford’s,  Avith 
Winthrop’s  brigade,  Avere  attacked  by  the  Confederates  and 
routed;  but  Grifiin,  Miles,  and  Humphrey  sustained  the 
shock,  and  Avere  able  to  reform  their  lines  and  force  the  Con- 
federates back  into  their  intrenchment.  The  Federal  in- 
fantiy  losses  had  been  most  serious. 

Sheridan  on  the  morning  of  the  31st  sent  Devin’s  division 
and  Davis’  brigade  of  Crook’s  division  to  Five  Forks,  while 
Smith’s  brigade  and  Gregg’s,  of  Crook’s  command,  held  the 


THE  YEAR  1865  IH  OLD  VIRGINIA  357 


Confederate  cavalry  at  Chamberlain  Creek.  Devin  and 
Davis  seized  Eive  Forks,  which  had  been  left  unprotected. 

Lee  in  the  afternoon  sent  Pickett  and  Johnson  with  their 
forces  to  drive  ont  the  Federal  cavalry  at  Eive  Forks.  This 
they  succeeded  in  doing,  separating  Devin  and  Davis  from 
Sheridan’s  main  body  at  Dinwiddie  Court  House.  Sheridan 
now  ordered  Smith  and  Gregg  to  attack  the  Confeder- 
ates in  the  rear ; and  by  dismounting  his  troopers  he  was  able 
to  cover  the  cavalry’s  retreat,  though  he  suffered  severely. 

On  the  night  of  March  31  Ayres’  division  of  Warren’s 
corps  hastily  constructed  a bridge  across  Gravelly  Run, — • 
the  old  bridge  having  been  destroyed, — and  by  2 a.  m.,  April 
1,  was  moving  toward  Dinwiddie  Court  House.  Mean- 
while Lee  had  concentrated  his  forces  at  Five  Forks. 
With  Crawford’s  division  and  Griffin’s,  Warren  marched 
across  the  country  and  half-way  between  Dinwiddie  Court 
House  and  Five  Forks  formed  a junction  with  Sheridan’s 
cavalry,  which  had  started  for  Five  Forks  at  dawn,  immedi- 
ately following  their  union  with  Ayres’  division.  Sheridan, 
as  ranking  officer,  now  assumed  command  of  the  united  forces, 
consisting  of  fully  25,000  men. 

By  2 p.  m.,  Sheridan’s  forces  had  caused  the  skirmishers 
of  Lee’s  line  to  seek  their  intrenchments.  Warren’s  whole 
corps  was  so  arranged  as  to  fall  on  Pickett’s  left  along  the 
White  Oak  road,  Munford’s  cavalry  was  on  Pickett’s  left, 
with  Rosser  in  the  rear,  guarding  the  wagons,  while  W.  H.  F. 
Lee,  with  one  cavalry  brigade,  guarded  the  right.  Sheri- 
dan ordered  his  cavalry  to  attack  the  front  and  the  right 
flank  of  the  Confederates.  The  Federal  commander  ordered 
the  attack  at  4 p.  m.  Crawford’s  left  and  Ayres’  division 
suffered  considerable  loss  in  their  advance  and  part  of  Ayres’ 
troops  became  unsteady  and  returned  to  the  rear.  By  Grif- 
fin’s support,  the  Federal  line  was  here  reformed,  and  they 
captured  the  Confederate  works  in  their  front  and  some 


358 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


2500  men,  with  several  guns  and  battle-flags.  Crawford’s 
division  struck  the  Confederates  almost  in  the  rear  capturing 
four  guns  and  several  prisoners.  At  one  time  Warren  dis- 
played great  personal  courage  in  rallying  his  men  under  a 
destructive  fire  during  which  his  horse  was  shot  under 
him. 

The  Federal  cavalry  had  not  been  quite  so  successful. 
The  brilliant  fighting  of  W.  H.  F.  Lee’s  cavalry  had  repulsed 
Custer’s  superior  forces,  but  the  infantry  of  Pickett  and 
Johnson  were  caught  in  a pocket  and  almost  surrounded  ; 
those  who  were  not  captured  or  killed  fleeing  in  great  con- 
fusion toward  the  west,  followed  by  part  of  the  Federal 
cavalry,  under  Merritt- and  McKenzie. 

The  Federals  had  lost  1000  men,  the  majority  of  whom 
were  from  Warren’s  corps.  The  Confederate  loss  was  nearly 
4000  men,  with  6 guns,  and  13  colors. 

The  battle  of  Five  Forks  was  a very  serious  disaster  to 
Lee’s  army.  It  was  the  blow  that  severed  the  unity  of  the 
Confederate  army  under  Lee.  The  links  were  rapidly  giv- 
ing way,  and  it  was  now  a matter  of  only  a few  days  until 
the  Aiuny  of  Korthern  Virginia  would  be  but  a name  in 
history. 

Sheridan  charged  Warren  with  slowness  in  obeying  orders, 
with  dilatoriness  in  forwarding  his  troops  to  Dinwiddie  Court 
House,  and  with  unnecessary  slowness  in  opening  the  attack 
at  Five  Forks.  General  Griffin  was  placed  in  command  of 
the  Fifth  Corps,  and  General  Grant  appointed  Warren  com- 
mander of  the  Department  of  the  Mississippi. 

Grant  Learns  of  the  Success  at  Five  Forks. — At  9 
p.  m..  Grant  was  made  aware  of  the  success  of  Sheridan  and 
Warren.  He  immediately  ordered  a cannonading  to  begin 
along  the  line  before  Petersburg ; this  cannonading  continued 
all  night. 

April  3,  1865,  came  on  Sunday.  Grant  ordered  Wright, 
Parke,  and  Ord  to  make  a general  assault,  beginning  at  early 


THE  YEAR  1865  lY  OLD  VIRGINIA 


359 


dawn  from  Appomattox  to  Hatcher’s  Run.  By  now  the 
Federal  soldiers  had  successfully  taken  most  of  the  outer 
works,  for  hardly  one  man  to  every  five  yards  confronted  the 
assaulting  army  of  Grant. 

Gibbon’s  division  of  Ord’s  corps  met  strong  resistance  at 
Fort  Gregg  and  at  Fort  Alexander  that  commanded  the  south 
of  Petersburg.  In  Fort  Gregg  Harris’s  Mississippi  bi’igade 
and  Walker’s  artillery  brigade, — consisting  of  250  men, 
commanded  by  Captain  Chew, — wrought  great  havoc  in  Gib- 
bon’s division.  After  several  hours  of  desperate  fighting  the 
brave  band  was  overcome,  having  lost  all  but  30  of  their  num- 
ber, while  500  Federal  soldiers  had  lost  their  lives  in  the 
determined  assault. 

At  10  a.  m.  General  Longstreet  reached  Lee  wfith  Ben- 
ning’s  brigade  of  Field’s  division.  Lee’s  inner  line  was  still 
intact. 

Heth’s  division  of  A.  P.  Hill’s  corps,  after  gaining  some 
success  on  Grant’s  right  against  the  Yinth  Corps  under  Parke, 
was  later  repulsed. 

Death  of  A.  P.  Hill. — While  this  part  of  the  battle  was 
raging  General  Hill,  who  w^as  at  Turnbull  House,  Lee’s  head- 
quarters, conversing  with  Generals  Lee  and  Mahone,  heard 
the  sounds  of  battle  coming  closer. 

“ How  is  this.  General  ? ” he  asked. 

“ Your  men  are  giving  way,”  said  Lee. 

With  but  one  orderly.  Hill  rapidly  rode  forward  to  get 
a nearer  view  of  the  battle.  While  passing  a ravine,  where 
six  Federal  soldiers  were  discovered,  he  ordering  them  to  sur- 
render, and  they  were  about  to  submit,  but  seeing  Hill  unat- 
tended, shot  him  dead.  One  of  the  most  zealous,  active ; 
dependable  of  Lee’s  lieutenants  was  thus  killed  just  in  time  to 
prevent  him  from  seeing  the  total  'wreckage  of  the  cause  for 
which  he  had  so  A^aliantly  fought  since  the  day  that  as  Colonel 
of  the  Thirteenth  Virginia  Regiment  he  first  faced  the  battle 
line  at  First  Manassas. 


360 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


He  was  buried  at  night  in  the  Old  Cemetery  at  Petersburg, 
while  the  air  was  rent  Avith  the  explosions  of  magazines  and  the 
din  of  warfare. 

Lee  Telegraphs  President  Davis. — It  Avas  noAA^  11  a.  m. 
Lee’s  lines  had  been  broken  in  three  places.  The  futility  of 
trying  longer  to  hold  PetersbAirg  and  Richmond  Avas  evident. 
By  holding  out  until  night  and  escaping  by  the  Danville  road 
there  Avas  still  hope  of  joining  Johnston.  After  Heth’s  re- 
pulse, Lee  sent  the  folloAving  telegram  to  President  Davis; 

“ My  lines  are  broken  in  three  places ; Richmond  must  be 
evacuated  this  evening.” 

The  message  Avas  handed  by  Colonel  Taylorwood  to  Presi- 
dent Davis  AA’hile  he  Avas  seated  in  his  peAv  at  St.  Paul’s 
Episcopal  Church.  He  quietly  left  the  church ; and  on  that 
bright  morning  the  people  of  Richmond  had  not  an  inkling 
of  the  disasters  that  had  befallen  the  Confederates  at  Five 
Forks  nor  a hint  of  the  broken  lines  at  Petersburg.  Peace 
prevailed  everyAvhere.  The  people  neA^er  dreamed  that 
Avithin  tAventy-four  hours  the  extreme  horrors  of  turmoil,  fire, 
and  Avar  Avere  to  be  precipitated  upon  their  beloved  Rich- 
mond. 

Evacuation  and  Fall  of  Richmond. — The  citizens  of 
Richmond  had  been  in  doubt  as  to  the  true  situation,  but  dur- 
ing the  afternoon  the  great  activity  in  the  Government  depart- 
ments made  it  evident  that  Richmond  Avas  to  be  evacuated. 
The  transportation  of  important  documents,  boxes  and 
trunks  Avas  of  necessity  to  be  from  the  Danville  Railroad 
depot. 

President  Davis  had  left  the  city  by  Avay  of  Danville  at 
8 p.  m.,  and  by  9 p.  m.,  the  majority  of  the  officials  and  the 
Virginia  Legislature  had  departed.  Major  Melton  at  mid- 
night Avas  alone  representing  the  War  Department  of  the 
Confederacy. 

The  tumult  increased  as  darkness  came  on ; and  drunken- 
ness, rioting,  broken  storehouses,  Avrecked  commissary-stores 


THE  YEAE  1865  IH  OLD  VIEGIHIA  361 


and  a fleeing,  frightened  populace  made  the  night  hideous. 
But  a horror  even  worse  was  to  come  upon  the  citizens  of  the 
devoted  capital. 

According  to  orders  from  Lee  and  the  Administration, 
General  Ewell,  the  reai'-giiard  commander,  was  to  fire  the 
principal  tobacco  warehouses  of  the  city  and  the  ironclad  ves- 
sels on  the  James  Eiver.  Many  buildings  ordered  to  be 
spared  from  fire  by  General  Ewell  were  fired  by  the  mob  at 
about  3 a.  m.  The  arsenal  was  destroyed,  and  only  armed 
resistance  by  General  Anderson  prevented  the  Tredegar 
works  from  being  fired  by  the  incendiaries.  General  Ker- 
shaAv’s  division  barely  escaped  over  the  burning  canal  bridge 
that  had  been  set  on  fire  to  delay  the  Confederate  retreat. 
At  7 a.  m.,  all  of  the  Confederate  troops  had  passed  to  the 
south  side  of  the  James.  The  railroad  bridges  and  Mayo 
Bridge  Avere  burned  by  the  retreating  Confederates. 

The  conflagration  now  spread  rapidly,  due,  no  doubt,  in 
part  to  incendiaries.  Gen.  J.  B.  Kershaw  said : 

The  large  mill  above  the  Danville  depot, — and  too  far 
distant  from  it  to  haA’e  been  ignited  by  the  burning  of  the  lat- 
ter,— Avas  observed  to  be  on  fire, — a fire  not  caused  by  the 
action  of  the  authorities.” 

Surrender  of  Richmond. — A little  after  7 a.  m.,  Maj. 
A.  II.  Stevens,  Jr.,  entered  Richmond  just  after  the  Con- 
federate rear-guard  had  crossed  to  the  south  side.  Gen.  God- 
frey Weitzel,  at  8:15  a.  m.,  entered  the  city  by  the  Osborne 
Pike  at  the  head  of  his  troops,  and  received  its  surrender. 

He  found  the  greatest  confusion,  and  the  city  on  fire  in 
many  places.  By  2 p.  m.,  the  fires  were  subdued,  but  not 
until  after  a great  part  of  the  capital  had  been  destroyed. 

Such  is  the  climax  of  war.  Evacuation  and  surrender 
nearly  always  mean  destruction,  sometimes  by  the  retreating 
army,  but  most  often  by  incendiaries  or  the  victors.  Hu- 
manity cries  out  for  peace  within  any  reasonable  bounds  of 
honor  and  safety;  while  Jingoes,  with  selfish  lust  for  gold. 


362 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


think  only  of  personal  aggrandizement  and  in  ignorance  howl 
the  awful  discord : ‘‘War!  War!  War!” 

The  Stars  and  Stripes  were  soon  hoisted  over  the  Virginia 
State  House.  General  Shepley  assumed  military  command 
of  Richmond,  the  same  office  that  he  had  held  at  the  taking 
of  Hew  Orleans.  General  Grant  did  not  enter  Richmond, 
hut  hastened  in  pursuit  of  General  Lee  and  his  forces. 


CHAPTER  LV 

LEEl’s  REiTUEAT  AKD  SUKREaSTDEK. 

General  Lee’s  plan  upon  the  evacuation  of  Petersburg  and 
Richmond  was  to  concentrate  all  his  forces  at  Chesterfield 
Court  House,  then  move  toward  Burksville  Junction,  where 
the  Danville  Railroad  and  the  Petersburg  & Lynchburg  Rail- 
road crossed.  General  Gordon’s  corps  by  3 a.  m.,  had  crossed 
the  Appomattox  and  was  marching  on  the  River  Road,  while 
Mahone  and  all  the  other  Confederate  troops  south  of  the 
James  were  on  the  Middle  Road.  Gen.  G.  W.  C.  Lee’s  di- 
vision crossed  the  James  at  Drewry’s  and  united  with  Ker- 
shaw, a few  miles  from  Manchester  on  the  morning  of  April 
3.  Ewell’s  division  now  moved  by  the  Genito  Road  to  the 
Appomattox  River,  but  their  passage  was  delayed  several 
hours  by  the  swollen  river,  and  it  was  not  until  Wednesday 
morning,  April  5,  that  they  got  across. 

Marching  toward  Amelia  Court  House,  they  there  came 
up  with  Lee’s  rear-guard  on  the  5th.  Lee’s  advance  had 
reached  Amelia  Court  House  on  the  morning  of  the  4th ; but 
he  was  gi’eatly  disappointed  on  account  of  the  absence  of 
supplies  which  he  expected  to  find  awaiting  him.  It  was 
absolutely  necessary  to  gather  something  for  his  exhausted 
and  famished  soldiers.  The  lack  of  supplies  and  the  conse- 
quent delay  were  fatal.  Lee  was  tv/enty  miles  northeast  of 
Burksville  Junction,  and  had  not  been  hindered  materially 
in  his  retreat  thus  far. 

By  the  late  afternoon  of  the  4th  Sheridan’s  cavalry,  fol- 
lowed by  Ord’s  corps,  had  reached  Jetersville,  thus  forcing 
Lee  to  change  his  route  toward  Earmville,  to  which  place 
supplies  had  been  ordered  from  Lynchburg.  The  supplies 

363 


364 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


destined  for  Lee’s  army  had  by  mistaken  orders  gone  through 
to  Richmond  two  days  previous.  Lee’s  army  was  now  on  a 
starving  basis  and  further  weakened  by  marching  day  and 
night.  Lee’s  only  hope  of  escape  was  to  penetrate  into  the 
hill  country  toward  Farmville. 

During  the  afternoon  of  April  5 Sheridan’s  cavalry, — 
under  Brigadier-Generals  Davis,  Gregg,  and  Smith,  greatly 
harassed  the  retreating  Confederates. 

Sailor’s  Creek. — Early  on  Thursday  morning,  April  6, 
Long-street’s  corps  reached  Rice’s  Station  on  the  Lynchburg 
Railroad,  followed  by  Gens.  R.  H.  Anderson,  Ewell,  and  Gor- 
don. Anderson’s  coiijs,  consisting  of  Pickett’s  division  and 
R.  R.  Johnston’s  became  separated  from  Mahone’s  division, 
the  rear  of  Longstreet’s.  About  noon,  after  crossing  a small 
stream  two  miles  from  Sailor’s  Creek,  the  Federal  cavalry  at- 
tacked Anderson’s  wagon-train  and  also  the  wagon-trains  of 
Gen.  G.  W.  C.  Lee  and  of  Kershaw’s  command,  of  Ewell’s 
corps.  General  Gordon  was  also  being  pressed  heavily.  A 
line  of  battle  was  now  formed  by  Anderson  and  Ewell.  The 
Federal  cavalry  imder  Crook,  Custer,  and  Devin  were  able 
to  cut  off  a large  wagon-train,  16  artillery,  and  many  prison- 
ers, and  hold  Ewell  and  Anderson’s  detached  corps  imtil 
General  Wright,  with  the  Sixth  Corps  came  up.  The  Fed- 
eral advance  infantry,  \mder  General  Seymour,  was  com- 
pelled to  halt  because  of  the  stubborn  resistance  of  the 
Confederates. 

Ewell’s  corps  soon  became  encompassed  on  all  sides  by 
Sheridan’s  cavalry  and  Wright’s  corps,  consisting  of  fully 
30,000  men.  The  fight  of  the  Confederate  veterans  was 
never  more  heroic  than  here-,  where  the  bullets  were  cutting 
down  their  numbers  from  front  and  rear. 

Ewell  at  length  surrendered,  sending  orders  to  Gen.  G.  W. 
C.  Lee  to  do  likewise,  and  advised  Anderson  to  do  so  in  order 
to  prevent  useless  loss  of  life. 

Kershaw,  Curtis,  Lee,  and  the  brigadier  generals  were 


LEE’S  EETEEAT  AED  SUEEEEDEE  365 


taken  prisoners.  Two  tlionsand  eight  hundred  men  of  Ewell’s 
command  and  800  of  Pickett’s  were  captured,  some  150  killed 
or  wonnded.  The  Eederals  had  lost  from  their  cavalry  and 
infantry  nearly  1000  men. 

General  Gordon’s  corps  had  been  aided  all  of  the  sixth 
by  the  cavalry  of  Fitzhngh  Lee,  holding  Humphrey’s  Sec- 
ond Corps  in  check.  After  the  defeat  and  capture  of  Ewell 
the  Eederals’  combined  force  made  a strong  attack  at  about 
6 p.  m.,  driving  the  Confederates  back  in  confusion.  In 
the  morning  in  the  vicinity  of  High  Bridge  General  Eosser’s 
division  and  Munford,  commanding  Fitzhugh  Lee’s  old  di- 
vision, after  a severe  fight  defeated  Gen.  S.  T.  Eead,  who 
was  killed  while  commanding  two  regiments  of  Ord’s  in- 
fantry and  a squadron  of  cavalry.  General  Hearing,  Colonel 
Boston  and  Maj.  J.  W.  Thomson,  among  the  Confederates, 
lost  their  lives.  The  Eederals  during  this  combat  lost  780 
prisoners,  while  many  were  killed. 

Lee’s  airniy  continued  its  march  during  the  night  of  the 
6th,  and  every  effort  was  made  to  reorganize  the  divisions 
shattered  by  the  severe  ordeal  of  the  day.  From  sheer  ex- 
haustion, hunger,  and  loss  of  sleep,  many  of  the  soldiers  were 
unahle  to  carry  their  guns  or  even  drag  themselves  along, 
while  others,  following  the  wagon-trains,  embarrassed  their 
progress.  General  Lee  was  not  yet  willing  to  give  up  all 
hope  of  extricating  his  shattered  army  from  the  fearful  posi- 
tion in  which  it  was  now  placed. 

On  the  morning  of  the  7th  some  four  miles  east  of  Earm- 
ville  Lee’s  army  had  crossed  to  the  north  side  of  the  Appo- 
mattox. The  railroad  bridge  was  destroyed,  but  General 
Humphrey,  wdth  the  Second  Corps,  was  able  to  save  the 
wagon  bridge.  Barton’s  division  was  pushed  across  with 
much  trouble.  At  Earmville  rations  were  issued  to  Lee’s 
famished  army,  but  the  rapid  pursuit  by  Barlow’s  division 
prevented  all  the  troops  being  supplied. 

Humphrey  attacked  the  rear  of  Lee’s  army  late  in  the 


366 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


afternoon  in  a more  direct  pursuit,  Miles’  division  and  De 
Trobriand’s  making  the  attack.  The  loss  was  severe,  amount- 
ing to  600  killed  and  wounded.  Gen.  Thomas  A.  Smythe, 
commander  of  the  Second  division  was  killed. 

Lee  Reaches  Appomattox  Court  House. — Lee’s  army, 
— now  reduced  to  two  corps,  under  Longstreet  and  Gordon, — 
by  great  effort  and  after  enduring  fearful  hardships  moved 
over  wretched  roads  toward  Appomattox  Court  House  on  the 
night  of  April  7 and  all  day  of  the  8th,  reaching  the 
place  during  the  evening.  A halt  was  there  made  so  that 
the  army  might  rest.  Just  after  the  repulse  of  Miles 
and  De  Trobriand,  on  the  evening  of  April  7,  Gen- 
eral Grant  sent  his  first  letter  to  General  Lee  concerning 
negotiations  for  the  surrender  of  himself  and  that  portion  of 
the  Confederate  States  Army  known  as  the  Army  of  North- 
ern Virginia.  Lee  wrote  an  immediate  answer,  which,  how- 
ever, was  not  received  by  Grant  until  the  morning  of  April 
8,  in  which  he  said : “ Though  not  entertaining  the  opinion 

you  express  of  the  hopelessness  of  further  resistance,  I ask 
the  terms  you  will  offer,  on  condition  of  surrender.” 

General  Humphrey  remained  ignorant  until  the  morning 
of  the  8th  that  Lee  had  retreated.  Lee’s  vigilance,  resource- 
fulness, and  skilful  generalship  had  again  put  many  miles 
between  himself  and  the  forces  of  Grant.  While  Lee  on  the 
7th  was  moving  toward  Appomattox  Court  House,  Sheridan 
had  sent  two  cavalry  divisions  to  Prince  Edward  Court 
House.  These  divisions  were  under  the  command  of  General 
Merritt,  while  General  Crook  moved  to  Farmville,  where  he 
was  forced  to  ford  the  stream.  The  Confederate  infantry 
drove  Crook  back  and  captured  Brigadier-General  Gregg. 

On  the  7th  Sheridan  and  Merritt  pushed  forward  and 
camped  at  Buffalo  Eiver,  close  to  Prospect  on  the  Lynch- 
burg Eailroad.  Here  Crook  was  ordered  to  join  them. 
Sheridan,  on  the  8th,  made  the  utmost  use  of  his  time  to 
get  between  Lynchburg  and  Lee’s  army  which  was  being  pur- 


LEE’S  EETEEAT  AXD  SLTEEEA^DEE  367 


sued  closely  by  the  Second  and  Sixth  Corps,  commanded  by 
Meade  and  Grant.  Lee  was  aware  of  bis  peril  when  he 
reached  Appomattox,  but  was  still  clinging  to  the  hope  that  he 
might  escape  to  the  Blue  Eidge  beyond  Lynchburg. 

Lee  Appoints  a Place  for  Conference. — In  this  situa- 
tion, late  on  the  evening  of  April  8 Lee  received  Grant’s  sec- 
ond letter  demanding  the  terms  of  complete  surrender.  Lee 
replied  that  he  would  meet  Grant  at  10  a.  m.,  on  the  9th,  to 
consider  terms  of  peace  but  “ not  Avith  a view  to  surrendering 
the  Airniy  of  Xorthern  Virginia.” 

The  place  designated  for  the  meeting  was  on  the  old  stage 
road  to  Eichmond,  between  the  picket  lines  of  the  tAvo  armies. 
Grant  received  Lee’s  message  and  replied  the  folloAving  morn- 
ing, stating  that  he  had  no  authority  to  treat  on  terms  of  peace, 
that  “ the  terms  upon  AA'hich  peace  can  be  had  are  well  under- 
stood,” and  “ the  meeting  proposed  for  10  a.  m.,  to-day,  could 
lead  to  no  good.” 

By  the  night  of  the  Sth  Sheridan’s  cavalry,  under  Curtis 
and  Devin,  had  cut  off  Lee’s  retreat  by  capturing  Appomattox 
Station,  25  gums,  a large  number  of  Avagons,  and  many  pris- 
oners. Daylight  of  the  9th  found  Sheridan’s  cavalry ; Ord 
with  the  Army  of  the  James,  and  Griffin,  with  the  Eifth 
Corps,  across  Lee’s  line  of  retreat. 

Lee’s  Last  Stand. — BraA-e  and  resolute  to  the  very  last, 
aAvare  of  a large  force  massing  on  the  left  and  front,  Lee 
ordered  the  march  to  be  resumed  at  1 a.  m.,  April  9.  Eitz- 
hugh  Lee  and  Gordon  were  to  attack  the  Eederals  in  front, 
and  Longstreet  was  to  close  up  and  hold  the  position.  “ Two 
battalions  of  artillery  and  the  ammunition  Avere  to  accompany 
the  army,  while  the  wagon-trains  and  the  rest  of  the  artillery 
were  to  move  toward  Lynchburg.” 

At  daybreak,  April  9,  the  brilliant  and  indomitable  Gor- 
don, with  1600  muskets,  foiTued  a line  of  battle  half  a mile 
Avest  of  Appomattox  Court  House  across  the  Lynchburg  road. 
A cavalry  force  of  2400  men  on  Gordon’s  right, — commanded 


368 


IIISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAE 


by  W.  II.  F.  Lee  on  the  left,  Rosser  in  the  center,  and  Mnn- 
ford  on  the  extreme  right, — Avere  to  support  Gordon.  At 
sunrise  the  desperate  Amlor  of  the  Confederates  droA'e  the 
Federal  caAmlry  back  and  resulted  in  the  capturing  of  tAA’o 
guns  and  seA'eral  prisoners.  The  arrh-al  of  Ord’s  corps  of 
infantry  on  Gordon’s  right  droAm  W.  H.  F.  Lee’s  caAmlry  to 
the  rear,  Avhile  Rosser  and  Munford  moA’ed  out  toAA'ard  the 
Lynchburg  road.  Ord’s  command  and  Griffin’s  Fifth  Coi’ps 
draAA'n  up  before  his  small  force  of  infantry,  caused  Lee  to 
send  forAAmrd  a Avhite  flag  AAuth  a request  to  cease  hostilities 
until  he  could  confer  AAuth  Grant. 

Lee’s  Surrender  to  Grant  at  Appomattox  Court 
House. — On  the  morning  of  April  9,  1865,  a heaA'y  fog 
hung  oA’er  the  country  around  Appomattox  Court  House. 
General  Lee,  AA-earing  a bright  neAv  uniform,  sat  near  a camp- 
fire talking  to  Longstreet  and  Mahone.  Gordon  had  been 
sent  on  the  last  mission  of  a forlorn  hope,  and  his  failure  to 
penetrate  the  Federal  lines,  due  to  the  timely  arriA-al  of 
Ord’s  corps  and  Griffin’s,  determined  Lee’s  procedure. 
LeaA’ing  General  Longstreet  in  charge,  Lee  rode  foi’AAmrd  to 
meet  Grant.  Receiving  the  Federal  general’s  letter  on  the 
Avay,  he  at  once  ansAvered  asking  an  intervieAV  to  ascertain 
definitely  the  terms  of  surrender. 

General  Grant  receHed  Lee’s  last  letter  at  11 :50  a.  m., 
on  the  Faiunville  and  Lynchburg  Road,  four  miles  AA'est  of 
Walter’s  Church  He  at  once  returned  an  ansAAmr  to  Lee,  say- 
ing: “ Hotice  sent  to  me  on  this  road  Avhere  you  Avish  the 
intervieAV  to  take  place  will  meet  me.” 

The  intervieAV  betAveen  Grant  and  Lee,  resulting  in  the 
surrender  of  Lee  and  his  army,  took  place  at  the  home  of 
Mr.  Wilmer  McLean, — ■ a square  brick  building.  General 
Lee, — wearing  his  neAV  gi'ay  imiform,  a military  hat  Avith 
a gold  cord,  gauntlets,  high  riding  boots,  and  a SAAmrd  pre- 
sented to  bim  by  the  State  of  Virginia, — accompanied  by 
Colonel  Marshall,  his  Chief  of  Staff,  entered  the  house  first. 


LEE’S  EETEEAT  AED  STJEEEEDEE  369 


Standing  by  a table, — tall,  erect,  self-possessed, — ready  to 
perform  to  the  last  tbe  trying  duty  set  before  bim,  he  awaited 
Grant.  This  was  the  tragic  climax  of  four  years  of  most 
exacting  labor,  with  responsibilities  of  life  that  only  great 
men  can  endure. 

General  Grant,  in  striking  contrast, — covered  with  mud, 
wearing  a blue  frock  coat,  slouched  hat,  a blue  waistcoat,  and 
gi’ay  trousers  tucked  into  soiled  boots,  his  rank  indicated  only 
by  three  silver  stars  and  the  double  row  of  brass  buttons, — 
walked  into  the  house  accompanied  by  Generals  Ord  and 
Sheridan  and  their  staffs.  Grant,  with  two  aides,  entered  the 
room  where  Lee  was  standing. 

They  shook  hands  and  at  once  proceeded  to  business. 
Grant  wwote  out  the  terms  of  surrender  to  which  Lee  at  once 
wrote  his  letter  of  acceptance.  After  a moment’s  reflection 
General  Lee  said  that  many  of  his  men  of  the  cavalry  and 
artillery  owned  their  own  horses.  Grant  replied  that  he 
would  instruct  the  paroling  officers  to  allow  the  owners  of 
horses  to  retain  them. 

They  will  need  them  for  their  spring  ploughing  and  other 
fomis  of  work,”  he  said. 

Lee  replied : “ General,  there  is  nothing  which  you  could 

have  accomplished  more  for  the  good  of  the  people  or  of  the 
government.” 

The  general  fonnalities  of  the  terms  were  then  concluded. 

Lee’s  thoughts  now  turned  toward  his  suffering  army  and 
prisoners.  He  told  Grant  that  he  had  no  provisions  for  the 
thousand  or  more  captured  men  and  officers  who  were  march- 
ing with  his  aiTuy  and  would  send  them  to  the  Eederal  lines 
as  soon  as  arrangements  could  be  made,  saying ; “ My  owu 

men  have  been  living  for  the  last  few  days  principally  on 
parched  corn,  and  we  are  badly  in  need  of  both  rations  and 
forage.”  Grant  said  he  would  send  Lee  25,000  portions  of 
rations,  which  the  Confederate  general  told  him  would  be 
ample  and  a great  relief. 


370 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


Grant’s  splendid  magnanimity  stands  ont  in  marked  con- 
trast to  the  bimtality  and  barbarism  of  the  conquerors  of  an- 
cient or  medieval  history,  and  even  to  many  known  in- 
stances in  the  history  of  the  modern  Avorld.  Our  country’s 
liberality  to  the  losers  in  the  Revolutionary^  War  and  in  the 
late  Spanish  War  has  sboAvn  the  spirit  of  the  nation.  The 
Army  of  Horthem  Virginia  on  the  field  was  surrendered,  with 
its  arms,  artillery,  and  Avagon-trains ; the  officers  and  men 
to  be  paroled  retaining  their  side-arms  and  private  effects. 

After  his  intervieAv  with  Grant, — that  is,  after  his  sur- 
render,— Lee  rode  hack  to  his  troops.  They  received  him 
Avith  the  greatest  evidence  of  love  and  affection,  croAvding 
around  him,  eager  to  shake  his  hand,  or  even  to  toAich  his  horse 
or  person.  Tears  forced  their  Avay  doAAm  the  Aveather-beaten 
faces  of  these  splendid  veterans  of  Avar  as  they  realized  the 
humiliation  that  surrender  and  defeat  must  inflict  on  their 
beloved  Chieftain  and  the  hopelessness  of  their  unsui’passed 
struggle  for  four  years. 

General  Lee  now  turned  to  his  soldiers  and,  Avith  a depth 
of  emotion,  Avhich  he  Avas  scarcely  able  to  control,  said: 

Men,  Ave  have  fought  through  the  w'ar  together.  I have 
done  my  best  for  you.  My  heart  is  too  full  to  say  more.” 

The  folloAving  day  Lee  took  formal  leave  of  his  army,  and 
returned  to  his  home  in  Richmond.  He  was  not  present  at 
the  final  scene  of  the  surrender. 

The  details  of  surrender  Avere  prepared  by  three  officers 
on  each  side;  and  on  April  12,  at  an  appointed  place  near 
Appomattox  Court  House,  the  Confederates,  marching  by 
divisions,  stacked  their  arms  and  deposited  their  military 
supplies.  Paroles  Avere  distributed,  and  the  Army  of  North- 
ern Virginia  had  passed  into  history.  The  cornerstone  of  the 
Confederacy  had  crumbled  and  the  building  was  tottering  to 
its  fall. 

Scarcely  8000  men  bore  muskets;  of  the  250  field  pieces 
in  the  lines  before  Richmond  and  Petersburg  61  remained 


LEE’S  EETEEAT  AED  SUEEEEDEE  371 


and  thirteen  caissons;  18,000  more  exhausted,  sick  soldiers, 
without  guns,  made  up  the  remainder  of  the  once  magnificent 
army  that  surrendered  on  April  9,  1865. 

Grant  was  not  present  at  the  ceremony,  neither  did  he 
assume  the  air  of  a conqueror.  His  delicacy  and  magna- 
nimity on  this  occasion  have  set  apart  for  him  a place  of 
gratitude  in  Southern  hearts. 

After  the  surrender  Grant  set  out  for  Washington,  where 
he  arrived  on  the  morning  of  April  14,  one  of  the  most  fate- 
ful days  in  the  history  of  the  Great  Eepublic. 


CHAPTER  LVI 


Lincoln’s  assassination 

Lincoln  had  been  at  City  Point  for  several  days.  After 
the  evacuation  of  Richmond,  in  company  with  Admiral  Por- 
ter on  his  flagship  the  Malvern,  he  ascended  the  James  River, 
and  entered  Richmond  on  April  L With  expressions  of  joy, 
the  negroes  crowded  around  him  on  his  way  through  the 
city.  He  rested  at  General  Weitzel’s  headquarters  and  then 
drove  through  some  of  the  principal  streets  of  the  city,  re- 
turning to  City  Point  the  same  evening.  He  again  visited 
Richmond  on  April  6,  and  on  the  day  of  Lee’s  surrender 
returned  to  Washington.  There  was  naturally  great  rejoic- 
ing in  Washington  and  throughout  the  ISTorth  on  the  an- 
nouncement of  the  surrender  of  the  Confederates. 

On  the  evening  of  April  11  Washingfon  was  brilliantly 
illuminated,  and  at  the  White  House  Lincoln  during  the 
evening  addressed  a large  gathering.  Llis  words  were  full 
of  hope  and  encouragement,  and  in  his  discussion  of  the  re- 
construction in  the  South  he  revealed  the  fact  that  no  bitter 
revenge  was  meditated  against  the  subjugated  people. 

General  Grant,  as  has  been  narrated,  entered  Washington 
on  the  morning  of  April  14,  accompanied  by  Capt.  Robert 
Lincoln,  the  President’s  son, — then  serving  as  one  of  Grant’s 
staff  officers.  At  11  a.  m.,  a cabinet  meeting  at  which  Grant 
was  present,  was  held.  Pleased  with  the  apparent  end  of 
the  great  civil  strife,  policies  were  discussed  as  to  the  best 
method  of  restoring  the  South.  After  the  meeting  plans 
were  made  for  General  Grant  to  accompany  the  President 
and  party  to  Lord’s  Theater  during  the  evening  to  see  “ Our 
American  Cousin.” 


372 


imCOLN’S  ASSASSINATION 


373 


Between  the  hours  of  8 and  9 p.  m.,  Lincoln, — accompa- 
nied by  ]\Irs.  Lincoln,  Miss  Clara  Harris,  and  Maj.  H.  E. 
Eathhone, — entered  the  theater.  General  Grant  was  not  of 
the  party,  having  been  called  to  New  York  on  urgent  busi- 
ness. 

It  was  a short  time  after  10  o’clock,  the  performance  was 
nearing  the  end,  wdien  a pistol  shot  rang  out  from  the  Presi- 
dent’s box.  The  astonished  audience  then  saw  a man  in 
front  of  the  box  who  flourished  a dagger  and  cried  out: 
” Sic  Semper  Tyrannis!  ’’  then  vaulted  from  the  box  to  the 
stage.  His  landing  was  broken  for  one  foot  became  en- 
tangled in  the  Stars  and  Stripes, — which  decorated  the 
front  of  the  box  and  he  fell  to  the  floor.  Quickly  rising, — 
though  evidently  injured  in  one  leg, — he  rushed  to  the  rear 
of  the  stage.  Here  he  mounted  a horse  and  fled.  Wilkes 
Booth,  the  star  actor,  had  shot  President  Lincoln  in  the  head, 
— a shot  that  resulted  in  the  President’s  death  the  following 
morning. 

It  was  a sad,  sad  day  for  the  North, — a most  unfortunate 
and  lamentable  tragedy  for  the  South.  The  splendid  concilia- 
tory policies  for  reconstruction  were  discontinued.  The 
South  had  to  drink  to  the  dregs  the  bitter  cup  of  humiliation 
imposed  upon  her  by  the  carpetbag  regime  with  its  insults  and 
defeats  even  more  trying  than  the  burning,  searing  effects  of 
destructive  warfare. 

Having  lain  in  state  in  the  East  Eoom  of  the  White  House 
until  April  19,  President  Lincoln’s  remains  were  then  re- 
moved,— by  way  of  Baltimore,  Philadelphia,  New  York,  and 
Albany, — to  his  old  home  at  Springfield,  111.  It  was  one  of 
the  most  remarkable  funerals  of  ancient  or  modern  times. 
Huge  crowds  flocked  to  the  cities  along  the  way  to  get  a 
glimpse  of  the  departed  President’s  passive  face. 

On  the  same  evening  that  Lincoln  was  shot,  Mr.  Seward, 
Secretary  of  State,  was  assaulted  in  his  home  and  severely 
injured,  barely  escaping  with  his  life.  Lewis  Payne,  the 


374 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


assassin,  escaped,  but  was  afterwards  taken  and  executed,  with 
Herold,  Atzerodt  and  Mrs.  Surratt,  on  July  6.  She  had  har- 
bored the  conspirators,  Herold  and  Atzerodt.  The  latter  was 
to  have  killed  Vice-President  Johnson.  Herold  was  captured 
when  Booth  was  shot  in  a bam  twenty  miles  from  Fredericks- 
burg. 

The  Southern  Confederate  leaders,  including  President 
Davis,  were  held  under  strong  suspicion  until  facts  showed 
them  to  be  perfectly  innocent  and  the  accusations  to  be  the 
most  cruel  and  unjust  slander. 


CHAP  TEE  LVII 


IMPORTAI^T  EVENTS  OF  THE  WAR  AFTER  LEe’s  SUR.RENDER. 

JOHNSTON  AND  SHERAIAN 

Six  hoiirs  after  the  death  of  Lincoln, — Vice-President 
Johnson  was  sworn  in  as  President  of  the  United  States. 
All  the  members  of  Lincoln’s  cabinet  were  retained  in  office. 
The  wheels  of  the  Federal  Government  continued  to  revolve 
but  bitter  partisan  feeling  began  to  make  itself  felt  in  the 
capital. 

On  April  9,  the  day  of  Lee’s  surrender,  Johnston’s  army, 
— scarcely  35,000  in  number, — Avas  stationed  at  Smithfield, 
Xorth  Carolina,  covering  Ealeigh.  Sherman  ordered  his 
army  of  88,94:8  effective  men  to  move  from  Goldsboro,  and 
by  April  11  they  reached  Smithfield,  only  to  find  that  John- 
ston’s army  had  retreated  toward  Ealeigh,  having  burned  the 
bridges  behind  them.  During  the  same  night  Grant’s 
messengers  reached  Sherman  telling  him  of  Lee’s  surrender. 
The  following  morning  the  army  received  the  news  with  a 
great  demonstration  of  joy. 

Sherman  now  began  his  pursuit  of  Johnston,  entering 
Ealeigh  on  the  13th.  Fearing  that  Johnston  would  separate 
his  army  into  smaller  commands  and  escape  to  the  mountains, 
Sherman  ordered  the  head  of  his  army  toAvard  Asheville. 

On  the  morning  of  April  14,  while  Sherman  was  at 
Ealeigh,  Johnston, — Avho  had  by  this  time  received  word 
of  Lee’s  surrender, — sent  the  Federal  commander  a message 
relative  to  a suspension  of  military  activities,  asking  that  long 
enough  time  be  given  for  Sherman  to  notify  Grant,  and  that 
the  civil  authorities  be  permitted  to  make  the  necessary  ar- 

375 


376 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


rangements  to  end  the  war.  This  was  in  order  to  spare 
the  blood  of  his  gallant  little  army,  to  prevent  further  suffer- 
ing of  the  people  by  the  devastation  and  ruin  inevitable  from 
the  marches  of  invading  armies,  and  to  avoid  the  crime  of 
waging  a hopeless  war.” 

Sherman’s  reply  was  that  he  would  abide  by  the  terms  that 
had  been  agreed  upon  by  Grant  and  Lee  at  Appomattox  Court 
House,  and  that  on  the  9th  all  army  movements  would  he 
suspended  until  after  the  conference. 

A meeting  between  Johnston  and  Sherman  was  agreed 
upon,  to  take  place  five  miles  from  Durham  Station  on  the 
morning  of  April  IT.  Just  as  Sherman  was  ready  to  board 
the  car  that  took  him  to  Durham  Station,  a message  from 
Secretary  Stanton  was  handed  to  him,  conveying  the  sad  news 
of  Lincoln’s  death.  At  the  Station  of  Durham  at  about  10 
o’clock  in  the  morning  an  escort  under  General  Kilpatrick 
met  Sherman  and  his  staff. 

The  morning  was  glorious,  with  its  invigorating  air,  bright 
sunshine,  and  bursting  springtide.  The  fragrance  of  the 
new-horn  foliage  and  the  twittering  of  the  happy  songsters 
in  the  woods,  were  fit  harbingers  of  peace.  Yet  the  sadness 
caused  by  Lincoln’s  death  was  to  hang  like  a cloud  over  the 
aiunies. 

General  Johnston,  accompanied  by  Gen.  Wade  Hampton, 
Major  Johnson,  and  Captain  Hampton,  met  Sherman  and 
his  staff  at  the  appointed  place.  They  shook  hands  and 
introduced  their  escorts.  They  now  proceeded  to  a little 
farmhouse,  situated  at  the  top  of  a small  hill, — the  residence 
of  a Mrs.  Bennett. 

Their  attendants  having  left  them,  Sherman  showed  John- 
ston the  message  of  Lincoln’s  death.  The  news  shocked  and 
surprised  Johnston,  and  he  denounced  the  crime. 

The  two  generals  now  began  to  discuss  the  purpose  of  their 
meeting.  Sherman  had  not  told  his  staff  nor  the  army  of 
Lincoln’s  death,  as  he  expressed  the  belief  that  it  was  likely 


EVENTS  AETEE  LEE’S  SUEEENDEE  377 


to  engender  a more  bitter  feeling.  Johnston  insisted  upon 
certain  agreements  to  which  Sherman  did  not  have  the  au- 
thority to  accede.  After  a three  hours’  interview,  they 
agi’eed  to  meet  the  following  afternoon  at  the  same  place. 

Sherman,  on  his  return  to  Ealeigh,  made  known  the  news 
of  Lincoln’s  death  to  the  army ; and  the  sorrow  of  the  soldiers 
was  genuine  and  deep.  Sherman  then  conferred  with  his  gen- 
erals as  to  the  action  to  be  taken  in  regard  to  Johnston’s  army. 

On  April  18  at  noon,  Sherman  arrived  at  the  Bennett 
farm,  where  Johnston,  accompanied  by  Gen.  Wade  Hampton, 
arrived  at  2 p.  m.  General  Johnston  still  insisted  upon 
some  guarantee  being  given  in  the  terms  of  surrender  for 
securing  the  political  rights  of  his  officers  and  men.  Sher- 
man argued  that  Grant’s  terms  to  Lee  covered  these  rights. 
General  Breckinridge,  Confederate  Secretary  of  War,  who 
was  near,  was  called  into  the  conference. 

Basis  of  Ag'reement  Between  Johnston  and  Sherman. 

— Soon  afterward  Sherman  drew  up  the  memorable  Basis 
of  Agreement,  which  was  sigued  by  him  and  Johnston  and 
forwarded  to  Washington  for  the  approval  of  President  John- 
son. It  was  agi’eed  that  the  armies  should  remain  in  status 
quo  until  an  answer  could  be  received  from  the  authorities. 
The  Memorandum  provided  for  the  surrender  of  all  Confed- 
erate armies  in  existence,  and  further  provided  that  all  arms 
and  military  supplies  should  be  deposited  at  the  capital  of 
each  State;  that  officers  and  men  were  to  execute  an  oath  of 
allegiance  to  the  Federal  Authorities,  that  “ the  Executive  of 
the  Hnited  States  was  to  recoguize  the  several  State  Gov- 
ernments upon  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  United  States  au- 
thority hy  the  officers  and  legislatures  of  the  said  States ; that 
the  Federal  Courts  were  to  be  reestablished  in  these  States, 
with  powers,  as  ‘ defined  ’ by  the  constitutions ; that  the 
people  were  guaranteed  their  political  rights  and  franchises 
as  far  as  lay  in  the  power  of  the  Executive, — their  prop- 
erty and  persons  to  have  like  consideration ; and  that  they 


378 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


were  to  remain  undisturbed  by  the  United  States  as  long 
as  they  lived  in  peace  and  quiet,  and  abstained  from  armed 
hostilities.” 

President  Johnson,  upon  receiving  the  communication, 
highly  disapproved  of  it,  and  General  Grant  and  the  whole 
cabinet  considered  that  much  of  it  was  entirely  out  of  Sher- 
man’s province  to  grant.  The  terms  were  far  more  generous 
than  those  given  by  Grant  to  Lee,  and  Sherman  was  severely 
censured  and  denounced  by  many  of  the  Federal  authorities 
and  particularly  by  General  Halleck.  It  is  absolutely  ab- 
surd to  suppose  that  Sherman  had  any  other  idea  or  design 
except  to  further  the  interest  of  the  Federal  cause.  There 
is,  however,  a question  as  to  his  entire  sincerity  toward  John- 
ston and  the  disbanding  armies  and  people  of  the  lost  cause. 
His  desire  for  peace  led  him  far  in  submitting  liberal  terms, 
but  there  were  in  the  basis  of  agreement  many  loopholes, 
through  which  the  authorities  could  slip. 

Sherman’s  explanations  a few  weeks  later  before  a Con- 
gressional committee  showed  something  of  this  trend  of 
thought.  He  said  that  the  terms  were  “ some  general  propo- 
sitions, meaning  little  or  much,  to  cover  the  pride  of  the 
Southern  men,”  and  that  “ they  would  have  delivered  into 
the  hands  of  the  United  States  the  absolute  control  of  every 
Confederate  officer  and  soldier,  and  all  their  arms.” 

Later,  in  speaking  before  a meeting  of  ex-Federal  soldiers 
he  said : “ So,  soldiers,  when  we  marched  through  and  con- 

quered the  country  of  the  rebels,  we  became  owners  of  all 
they  had,  and  I don’t  want  you  to  be  troubled  in  your  con- 
science for  taking,  while  on  our  great  march,  the  property 
of  conquered  rebels.  They  forfeited  their  rights  to  it,  and 
I,  being  agent  for  the  Government,  gave  you  authority  to 
keep  all  the  quartermasters  couldn’t  take  possession  of  or 
didn’t  want.” 

Johnston’s  Surrender. — Grant  went  to  Raleigh  to  talk 
the  matter  over  with  Sherman,  and  to  notify  him  of  the  re- 


EVE^ITS  AFTEE  LEE’S  SUEEE^^DER  379 


jection  of  the  jMemorandiim.  He  reached  Sherman’s  head- 
quarters April  2d  and  the  same  terms  were  given  to  John- 
ston as  had  been  given  to  Lee. 

At  an  interview,  April  26i,  Johnston  and  Shennan  signed 
the  agreement,  which  had  been  approved  by  Gen.  TJ.  S.  Grant. 
Gen.  Wade  Hampton,  however,  refused  to  abide  by  the  agree- 
ment, and  with  a body  of  cavalry,  escaped  toward  Charlotte, 
where  were  President  Davis  and  other  officers  of  the  Confed- 
erate Government. 

Johnston’s  army  of  nearly  31,2d3  men  stacked  their  arms 
at  Greensboro,  received  their  paroles,  and  Avith  sufficient  guns 
to  protect  themselves  from  marauders,  started  in  bands  for 
their  homes  in  the  Carolinas,  Georgia,  Tennessee,  and  other 
States  from  which  they  had  come.  Thus  the  second  great 
anny  of  the  Confederacy  became  a matter  of  history. 

To  General  Schofield  fell  the  duty  of  paroling  the  soldiers. 
Gen.  Richard  Taylor,  who  was  now  in  command  of  the  troops 
in  Alabama,  Mississippi,  and  the  remaining  troops  east  of 
the  Mississippi  River,  surrendered  May  4,  at  Citronella,  Ala., 
to  General  Canby,  the  terms  of  surrender  being  practically 
the  same  as  had  been  granted  to  Lee  and  Johnston.  Gen. 
ISTathaniel  B.  Forrest,  the  great  cavalryman,  who  was  now 
in  command  of  all  the  cavalry,  accepted  the  terms,  and  re- 
turned to  Memphis  to  live. 

Capture  of  the  President’s  Family,  Postmaster 
Reagan,  and  Alexander  H.  Stephens. — As  we  have 
noted,  a band  of  cavalry  under  Colonel  Pritchard,  of  Wilson’s 
command,  captured  President  Davis. 

After  leaving  Greensboro  and  Charlotte,  and  passing  Abbe- 
ville, S.  C., — where  President  Davis  had  a conference  with 
Generals  Duke  and  V aughan  as  to  the  continuance  of  the  war, 
— no  hope  being  held  out,  the  President  pushed  toAvard  Ir- 
winsville,  due  south  of  Macon,  having  joined  his  Avife  and 
party  near  this  place  on  the  evening  of  May  9.  Here  they 
were  surrounded  by  the  Federal  troops  at  daybreak.  May  10, 


380 


HISTORY  OR  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


captured  and  carried  to  llacon,  Wilson’s  headquarters.  A 
$100,000  reward  had  been  offered  for  his  apprehension. 
President  Davis,  Postmaster-General  Reagan,  and  Vice-Pres- 
ident Stephens  were  sent  by  way  of  Savannah  to  Fortress 
Monroe,  Avhere  the  fomier  President  of  the  Confederacy 
remained  until  May  13,  1867.  Reagan  and  Stephens  were 
later  transferred  to  Fort  Warren  in  Boston  Harbor. 

General  Jeff.  Thompson,  who  commanded  a force  of  several 
thousand  men  in  Arkansas,  surrendered  on  May  11  at  Chalk 
Bluff. 

Last  Battle  of  the  Civil  War,  Palmetto  Ranch.  May 
13,  1865. — Hot  on  account  of  its  importance,  but  because  it 
was  the  last  battle  of  the  Civil  War,  the  engagement  at 
Palmetto  Ranch  on  the  Rio  Grande  assumes  distinction.  It 
also  forcibly  illustrates  the  magnitude  of  a war  that  extended 
from  Lancaster,  Pa.,  to  the  frontier  of  Texas  and  Hew 
Mexico,- — a distance  of  3500  miles. 

Col.  Theodore  H.  Barrett,  with  some  500  Federal  troops,  on 
May  13  attacked  the  Confederates  commanded  by  General 
Slaughter.  During  the  skirmishing  of  the  forenoon  the  Con- 
federates retreated,  but  about  4 p.  m.  they  returned  to  the 
attack  and  succeeded  in  driving  Barrett  before  them,  and  in 
capturing  a considerable  number  of  his  men.  Darkness 
caused  a cessation  of  the  fight,  which  proved  to  be  the  last  of 
the  war. 

The  Surrender  of  Gen.  Kirby  Smith. — The  last  hope  of 
President  Davis  was  that  the  Confederacy  could  be  re- 
established and  maintained  in  the  Transmississippi  country. 
Gen.  Kirby  Smith  was  in  chief  command  in  this  district  and 
resolutely  determined  to  maintain  a military  organization,  if 
possible.  He  did  not  consider  it  a part  of  a soldier’s  duty 
to  surrender  until  his  chief  spoke,  and  there  was  no  foe  present 
in  sufficient  numbers  to  force  his  surrender.  He  appealed  to 
the  soldiers  to  stand  to  their  colors. 

His  army  was  scattered,  for  the  disbanded  armies  of  Lee 


EVENTS  AFTEE  LEE’S  SULEENDER  381 


and  Johnston  returning  home  produced  great  demoralization 
in  his  forces.  Some  of  the  govemors  of  the  Southern  States 
advised  surrender.  The  soldiers  had  not  been  paid  for 
months,  and  hundreds  began  to  desert  day  and  night.  At  this 
juncture, — leaving  Buckner  in  command  of  the  forces  at 
Shreveport,  La.,  General  Smith  vent  to  Houston,  Tex.,  in 
order  to  help  hold  the  army  together. 

The  Federal  Government  began  now  to  make  active  prepa- 
ration for  a campaign  into  Texas.  General  Sheridan  was  to 
have  charge  of  the  expedition  ; but  it  became  unnecessary,  and 
arrangements  were  not  completed.  Smith,  despairing  of  any 
successful  continuance  of  the  war,  on  May  26,  1865,  com- 
pleted the  negotiations  for  the  surrender  to  General  Canby  of 
the  troops  west  of  the  Mississippi  River.  These  included 
Buckner’s  command  and  General  Price’s  Missourians. 

This  ended  the  Civil  lYar  in  the  United  States  of  America. 
In  the  number  of  men  engaged,  in  loss  of  life,  in  cost,  in 
severity  of  combat,  in  extent  of  the  country  fought  over,  and 
in  courage  displayed  it  was  a struggle  scarcely  equaled  in 
the  annals  of  the  world’s  history. 

Results. — The  Southern  Confederacy, — which  had  its 
birth  during  the  first  travails  of  civil  strife  and  which  after 
a storm  of  fire  and  sword  passed  out  of  existence  as  the  armies 
of  Lee,  Johnston,  Taylor,  and  Smith  surrendered  to  the 
mightier  forces  of  the  Federal  Government, — was  now  but  a 
memoiw  which  was  to  live  in  the  hearts  and  minds  of  its  sur- 
vivors and  of  their  children’s  children  as  a sacred  heritage, 
an  evidence  of  the  heroic  courage  and  sublime  sacrifices  en- 
dured by  the  participants  in  the  terrific  conflict. 

The  North  by  their  persistency  and  immense  resources  had 
fairly  conquered  and  reestablished  one  nation,  where  two 
would  otherwise  have  been. 

Abolition  of  negro  slavery  became  an  established  fact,—  an 
issue  that  would  never  again  cause  dissension  in  our  beloved 
land. 


382: 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


Questions  of  State  Rights  were  now  put  to  rest ; for  a State 
by  means  of  armed  force  conld  be  kept  in  the  Union.  Fed- 
eral power  had  been  proven  to  be  supreme. 

The  South  was  completely  prostrated ; many  of  the  cities 
were  in  ashes,  thousands  of  farms  had  been  laid  waste,  and 
the  buildings  were  in  ruins.  Tens  of  thousands  of  its  strong 
men  had  been  killed,  and  the  slaves, — coached  by  irre- 
sponsible and  low-grade  whites, — now  became  the  legislators. 
It  was  to  take  a quarter  of  a century  before  the  spirit  of  the 
Hew  South  would  make  itself  felt. 

An  enormous  debt  hung  over  the  whole  people.  The  Forth 
had  lost  her  marine  commerce ; from  being  the  carrier-nation 
of  the  world,  she  stood  now  on  the  lower  rounds  of  the  com- 
mercial ladder.  Although  her  loss  of  life  had  been  even 
greater  than  that  of  the  South,  her  population  was  so  much 
larger  that  it  was  not  so  observable.  Her  farms  and  lands 
had  not  been  reduced  to  desolation,  nor  had  her  cities  been 
destroyed  by  invading  armies. 


CHAPTEK  LVIII 


THE  EETATIVE  FIGHTING  FOKCEIS  OF  THE  TWO'  CONTESTANTS. 

THEIR  LOSSES  IN  MEN  AND  MONEY 

The  population  of  the  United  States  at  the  beginning  of  the 
Civil  War  was  in  round  numbers  32,000,000.  Of  this  popu- 
lation 9,150,000  resided  within  the  eleven  seceded  States 
that  constituted  the  Confederacy,  and  of  this  number  nearly 
4,000,000  were  negroes.  There  were  1,064,193  men  of  the 
military  age  (18  to  45)  available  for  the  Confederacy  to 
draw  from  for  their  armies.  The  border  States, — Kentucky, 
Missouri,  Maryland,  and  West  Virginia,  gave  to  the  Confed- 
erate service  about  100,000  men,  while  there  were  52,847 
Unionists  to  enter  the  Federal  armies  from  the  eleven  seceded 
States, — mostly  from  the  mountainous  regions  of  Virginia, 
Korth  Carolina,  Georgia,  Tennessee,  and  Alabama. 

To  offset  this  number  gained  from  the  border  States,  the 
Federal  authorities  enlisted  and  used  during  the  war  180,000 
negro  troops,  who  in  many  engagements  did  effective  service. 
The  Korth  had  a population  of  23,000,000  to  draw  from, 
many  of  whom  were  foreign-born.  The  white  male  popula- 
tion between  the  ages  of  18  and  45  was  4,559,872.  The 
border  States  of  Kentucky,  Missouri,  Maryland,  and  West 
Virginia,  gave  to  the  Federal  service  263,068  soldiers.  The 
total  number  enlisted  during  the  whole  war  into  the  Union 
Army,  according  to  different  computations,  varied  from 
2,772,408  to  2,898,304.  The  terms  of  enlistment  varied  from 
three  months’  service  to  three  years’.  The  number  that  served 
three  years,  after  averaging  the  total  enlistment,  aggregated 
1,556,678  men. 


383 


384 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


It  has  been  more  difficult  to  obtain  an  accurate  estimate  of 
the  Confederate  enlistment,  and  the  equivalent  terms  of 
service. 

The  relative  strength  of  the  two  armies  at  different  com- 
parative dates  as  reported  by  their  respective  authorities  will 
shed  considerable  light  upon  this  disputed  question. 

The  Federal  authorities  reported,  July  1,  1861,  186,751 
men  in  service ; the  Confederates  showed  98,000. 

On  January  1,  1862,  the  Federal  forces  were  575,917 ; the 
Confederates  reported  350,000. 

On  March  31,  1862,  the  Federals  had  increased  to  637,126 ; 
the  Confederates  to  353,000. 

On  January  1,  1863,  the  aggregate  Federal  forces  num- 
bered 918,191 ; the  Confederacy  had  under  arms  441,000. 

On  January  1,  1864,  the  Federal  force  was  nearly  double 
that  of  their  opponents,  or  860,737 ; the  Confederates’  being 

471.000,  — their  largest  number. 

On  January  1,  1865,  the  Federals  had  increased  to 
959,460;  while  the  total  number  of  Confederates  was 

418.000,  and  this  number  was  rapidly  diminishing,  the  co- 
herence of  their  armed  forces  wms  fast  giving  way. 

On  May  1,  1865,  the  Federal  forces  amounted  to  1,000,- 
516 ; while  the  total  number  of  Confederates  surrendered  was 
174,223.  Thus  the  average  fighting  strength  of  the  Federals 
was  as  225  men  to  100. 

Number  of  Confederates  Engaged. — The  number  of 
men  that  came  under  call  and  conscription  between  1861  and 
the  spring  of  1865  was  nearly  1,269,000.  Deducting  from 
this  number  1 per  cent,  per  annum  for  natural  death, — or 
about  100,000, — and  25,000  for  infirmities  of  body,  we  have 
left  1,144,000. 

Dr.  Joseph  Jones,  Confederate  Siirgeon-General,  A.  H. 
Stephens,  and  other  Confederates,  have  placed  the  Confed- 
erate forces  engaged  at  nearly  600,000,  while  Adjutant- 
General  Cooper  gives  the  following  figures : 


RELATIVE  EIGHTIIIG  EOECES 


385 


Total  death  from  -wounds,  disease,  and  in  battle,  200,000. 

Prisoners  not  exchanged,  200,000. 

Discharges  and  desertions,  from  ’61  to  ’65,  100,000. 

Eorce  in  field  at  close  of  -war,  100,000. 

Total,  600,000. 

Colonel  Fox  in  regimental  loss  says  that  there  -were  7 61  regi- 
ments, and  10  companies,  Avhich  does  not  include  home 
guards,  consolidated  regiments,  local  defense  regiments, 
militia,  junior  and  senior  reserves,  and  the  estimated  original 
enrollments,  850  per  regiment,  making  650,000.  It  seems 
safe  to  say  that  there  -were  engaged  during  the  -war  het-ween 
750,000  and  800,000  men  in  the  Confederate  armies  and  that 
nearly  625,000  averaged  a service  of  three  years. 

There  -u’ere  killed  in  battle  53,973;  40,027  died  of  mortal 
-wounds;  118,594  died  of  diseases;  220,000  -were  captured 
and  held  in  Federal  prisons;  12  per  cent.,  or  26,436,  accord- 
ing to  Mr.  Stanton,  Secretary  of  War  (July  19,  1866),  died 
as  prisoners ; 114,811  were  discharged,  and  it  was  estimated 
that  83,372  deserted. 

It  has  been  easier  to  get  more  accurate  figures  conceming 
the  Federal  losses.  Sixty-seven  thousand  fifty-eight  were 
killed  in  battle;  43,012  died  of  wounds;  249,458  died  of 
diseases  and  accidents;  125,000  deserted;  426,664  were  dis- 
charged. There  had  been  captured  and  held  in  Southern 
prisons  270,000  Federal  soldiers,  9 per  cent,  of  whom  died, — 
according  to  Secretary  Stanton’s  report, — or  22,570  men. 
These  figures,  representing  the  mortality  of  prisoners,  show 
greater  care  for  the  Federals’  prisoners,  which  is  easily  ac- 
counted for,  since  the  Confederates  were  often  in  great  want 
of  suitable  provisions  for  their  own  armies. 

The  Losses  in  Property  and  Money. — The  cost  to  the 
nation  of  the  Civil  War  was  almost  unprecedented  in  his- 
tory. June  1,  1861,  the  public  debt  of  the  Federal  Govern- 
ment was  $90,867,828.  On  the  1st  of  January,  1866,  the 
public  debt  had  reached  the  enormous  sum  of  $2,749,491,745. 


386 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


In  addition  to  this  almost  inconceivable  sum  there  had  been 
hundreds  of  millions  of  dollars  raised  in  the  Yorth  from  indi- 
viduals, bv  popular  subscriptions  and  by  individual  States. 
To  this  might  be  added  the  gi’eat  loss  of  maritime  commerce 
and  $783,000,000  raised  by  customs.  The  expenditure  for 
the  last  year  of  the  war  was  equivalent  to  the  total  expenses 
of  the  United  States  Government  Horn  Washington’s  first 
term  as  President  of  the  Republic  to  Buchanan’s  inaugura- 
tion. 

Great  as  was  the  sacrifice  and  hardship  imposed  upon  the 
Federal  Government  and  the  Horth  in  order  to  maintain 
the  war,  pro2:)ortionate  to  their  resources  it  could  not  com- 
pare to  the  almost  unbelievable  and  fearful  cost  iii  material 
resources  which  the  South  had  to  bear.  Invading  annies 
had  destroyed  and  laid  waste  the  fair  and  blooming  South- 
land, Avith  its  fanns,  barns,  d\A^ellings,  canals,  railroads, 
manxifactories  and  cities.  From  the  splendid  A^alley  of  the 
Shenandoah  River  and  the  Potomac  to  far  beyond  the  great 
Avaters  of  the  Mississippi  all  Avas  devastation.  The  enormous 
demands  upon  its  people  to  maintain  its  armies  in  the  field, 
the  destruction  of  the  cotton  and  the  blockade  of  the  har- 
bors paralyzed  its  finances.  The  loss  of  4,000,000  slaves 
had  a definite  monetary  value  to  the  South  that  can  never 
be  knoAvn.  South  Carolina,  Avith  a property  value  at  the 
beginuing  of  the  Avar  of  $400,000,000,  at  the  close  could 
scarcely  find  valuation  to  the  sum  of  $90,000,000 ; and  pos- 
sibly Virginia  suffered  as  greatly.  These  can  seiwe  as  an 
example  of  the  hardships  endured  by  the  seceding  States. 

War  is  the  climax  of  human  suffering,  and  the  majority 
of  Avars  are  evil  and  unnecessary.  The  human  mind,  how- 
eA^er, — being  finite  in  its  range  of  knoAvledge  and  wisdom, 
and  often  made  perverse  by  envy,  misunderstanding,  jealousy, 
and  selfishness, — lets  nations  drift  into  hatred  and  then  into 
bloodshed. 

The  immensity  of  our  civil  strife  and  the  horrible  anguish 


RELATIVE  EIGHTEVG  EORCES 


387 


endured  cannot  be  told  in  words  or  in  figaires.  That  1882 
battles,  in  which  a regiment  or  more  were  engaged,  were 
fought  and  smaller  skirmishes  and  individual  scouting  com- 
bats too  innumerable  to  mention  occurred  can  only  bring  to 
our  minds  a faint  conception  of  the  intensity  and  awfulness 
of  the  great  Civil  "War  in  the  Lmited  States. 

The  Aftermath. — The  great  combat  of  arms  was  over. 
The  problems  of  government  that  now  confronted  the  Federal 
authorities  were  of  vast  importance  and  likely  to  be  of  danger- 
ous consequence  to  the  nation’s  welfare,  if  left  in  bungling 
hands. 

The  grand  reA'iew  at  Washington  of  200,000  veterans  oc- 
curred May  22  and  23,  Avhen  the  victorious  armies  of  Grant 
and  Sherman  marched  before  the  President  and  his  cabinet. 
The  veteran  soldiers  filed  between  the  vast  multitude  of 
people,  but  with  every  evidence  of  rejoicing,  sadness  was  pres- 
ent, for  Lincoln,  who  had  now  become  the  Northerners’  most 
beloved  character,  was  absent. 

The  great  task  of  mustering  out  over  a million  armed  men 
was  at  once  begum,  and  by  November  15,  1865,  over  750,000 
soldiers  had  been  transported,  paid,  and  mustered  out  of 
service.  In  another  twelve  months  1,025,000  men  had  been 
honorably  discharged  from  military  service,  and  in  the  ma- 
jority of  instances  had  returned  to  their  various  peaceful  vo- 
cations. The  adventurous,  restless  spirits,  however,  hastened 
the  opening  of  the  yet  sparsely  settled  West. 

The  greatest  problem,  in  a political  sense,  with  which  the 
prostrated  South  had  to  deal  belongs  to  the  Reconstruction 
Period,  which  is  truly  one  of  the  saddest  pages  in  American 
history. 

The  Return  of  the  Confederate  Soldiers. — The  great 
mass  of  surviving  soldiers  of  the  Confederacy  returned  to 
their  homes, — which  in  thousands  of  instances  were  charred 
remains  of  what  had  once  been  peaceful,  happy  dwelling- 
places, — penniless,  and  in  many  cases  without  the  welcoming 


388 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


voice  of  parent,  sister,  or  brother  to  greet  tliem,  while  even 
the  smiling  faces  and  jojfnl  voices  of  the  old  negro  servants 
had  departed.  The  fimits  of  three  and  four  generations  of 
toil  had  all  been  devoured  by  the  gi’eedy  god  of  war.  Yet 
there  remained  in  their  bosoms  honor  and  a desire  to  again 
place  the  loved  ones  still  dependent  on  them  in  a position  of 
mental  and  hodily  comfort.  Many  years  of  heartache  and 
bitter  humiliation  had  to  he  endured.  The  opening  of  the 
Twentieth  Century  and  the  establishment  of  the  Hew  South 
bear  witness  to  how  truly  and  faithfully  the  old  soldiers  have 
served  their  trust  and  kept  their  word. 

Thus  ends  the  story  of  one  of  the  greatest  civil  strifes  in 
all  history. 

All  honor  to  those  who  sacrificed  their  lives  and  fortunes 
on  both  sides,  worthily  warring  for  the  right  as  they  saw  the 
right.  All  respect  and  consideration  for  those  who  survived 
the  dreadful  conflict,  and  Avhose  lives  and  thoughts  are  now 
melloAved  toAvard  their  felloAv  men  by  the  remembrance  of 
their  former  tribulations ! 

For  the  noble  Avoinen  Avho  endured  so  many  heartaches 
because  of  absent  fathers,  husbands,  brothers,  sons,  and  SAveet- 
hearts,  the  death  of  those  most  dear,  or  the  loss  of  home  and 
the  consequent  dire  poverty  and  distress,  no  praise  can  he 
too  great, — no  tribute  too  high. 

PRIHCIPAL  SOURCES  OF  IHFORMATIOH 

Appended  is  a list  of  the  principal  soAirces  of  information 
used  in  the  preparation  of  “ A History  of  the  CiAul  War  in 
the  United  States.”  The  printed  matter,  hoAA'eA^er,  does  not 
cover  all  the  information  gathered.  The  Amine  of  individual 
narratives, — parts  of  Avhich  haAm  been  incorporated  in  the 
above  history,—  has  been  carefully  considered. 


SOUKCES  OF  INFOKMATION 


389 


Records 

“ Wai’  of  The  Rebellion  Official  Records  of  the  Union  and 
Confederate  Annies.” 

Series  I.  yoIs.  I.-LII.  Serial,  Uo.  1-110.  Reports  and  Cor- 
respondences. 

Series  II.  “ Prisoners  of  War.” 

Series  III.  “ Union  Correspondences.” 

Series  I.  “ Official  Records  of  the  Union  and  Confederate 
ISTavies  in  the  War  of  the  Rebellion.” 

Histories  oe  tub  Civil  War 

Burgess,  John  W.  “ Civil  War  and  the  Constitution.”  2 
vols.  Hew  York,  1901-1909. 

Century  Co.  “ Battles  and  Leaders  of  the  Civil  War.”  8 
vols.  Hew  York,  1881-1887-88. 

Cox,  Jacob  D.  “Battle  of  Franklin.”  1 vol.  Hew  York, 
1897. 

“ The  Atlanta  Campaign.”  1 vol.  Hew  York,  1882-1903. 

Coffin,  C.  C.  “ Drum  Beat  of  the  Hation.”  1 vol.  Hew 
York,  1901 

“ Boys  of  ’61.”  Hew  York,  1901. 

Davis,  Jefferson.  “ The  Rise  and  Fall  of  the  Confederate 
Government.”  1881. 

Dodge,  Colonel  Ayerault.  “ Bird’s-eye  View  of  the  Civil 
War.”  1 vol.  Boston,  1897. 

Eggleston,  George  Cary.  “ The  History  of  the  Confederate 
War.”  Hew  York,  1910. 

Fiske,  John.  “ The  Mississippi  Valley  in  Civil  War.”  Bos- 
ton, 1900. 

Greeley,  Horace.  “ The  American  Conflict.”  Hew  York, 
1861-66. 

Gordon,  Gen.  John  B.  “Reminiscences  of  the  Civil  War.” 
1 vol.  Hew  AYrk,  1901. 


390 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 


Pollard,  Edward.  Editor  of  the  Richmond  Examiner. 
“ The  Lost  Cause.”  1 vol.  Hew  York,  18G6.  General 
“ Lee  and  His  Lieutenants.”  Hew  York,  1867. 

Wilson,  John  Laird.  “ Story  of  the  War.”  1 vol.  Hew 
York,  1876-81. 


Statistics 

Fox.  “ War  Statistics.” 

Livermore,  F.  L.  “ Hiimhers  and  Losses  in  the  Civil  War 
in  America.”  Boston,  1901. 

Biogeaphies 

Jackson,  Mary  Anna.  “ Memoirs  of  Stonewall  Jackson.”  1 
vol.  Louisville,  1895. 

Ketcham,  Henry.  “ Abraham  Lincoln.”  1 vol.  Hew 
York,  190L 

Lee,  Fitzhiigh.  “ Robert  E.  Lee.”  1 vol.  Hew  York,  1894- 
1904. 

Grant,  U.  S.  “ Personal  Memoirs.”  1 vol.  Hew  York, 
1885-86. 

Mahan,  Capt.  A.  T.  “ Admiral  Farragiit.”  1 vol.  Hew 
York,  1904. 

Pendleton,  Louis.  “ xHexander  H.  Stephens.”  Phila- 
delphia, 1907. 

Wyeth,  Dr.  John  A.  “ Life  of  Gen.  John  B.  Forrest.”  1 
vol.  Hew  York,  1899-1901 

Wilson,  James  G.  “ U.  S.  Grant.”  1 vol.  Hew  York, 

1897-1904. 


Pekiodicals 


Six  years’  jiublication  of  The  Confederate  Veteran,  1906- 
1913.  Hashville. 


SOUECES  OF  INEOEMATIOE' 


391 


Histories  of  the  United  States 

Clianuing,  Edward.  “ Students’  History  of  the  United 
States.”  1 vol.  New  York,  1897. 

Hart,  A.  B.  Editor  Amencan  Nation. 

“ Causes  of  the  Civil  War,”  vol.  XIX. 

“ Appeal  to  Arms,”  vol.  XX. 

Outeoine  of  the  Civil  War,”  vol.  XXI.  New  York, 
1906-07. 

Eidpath’s  United  States  History. 

Eopes,  John  Codman.  “ Story  of  the  Civil  War.”  2 vols. 
Xew  York,  1905. 

“ The  American  History  Series.”  6 vols.  Xew  York,  1897- 
1909. 

Wilson,  Woodrow.  “History  of  the  American  People.”  5 
vols.  Xew  York,  1902. 

Waring,  George  E.  “ Whip  and  Spur.” 

“ Historic  Characters  and  Famous  Events.”  Lamberton,  J. 
P.,  Editor.  12  vols.  Millet  Publishers,  Boston,  Mass., 
1902. 


the  end 


II^DEX 


INDEX 


Abolitionists,  117. 

Abolition  of  Slavery,  381. 

Abbeville,  S.  C.,  338,  379. 

Abingdon,  Va.,  278,  317. 

Ackworth,  Ga.,  226,  299. 

Adams,  John  C.,  brig.-gen.,  Franklin 
k,  305. 

Alabama,  secession,  18. 

Alabama  River,  242,  348. 

Alabama,  The,  C cruiser,  242,  246; 
history,  246,  247 ; action,  247 ; 

losses,  248 ; claims,  248. 
Alexandria,  Va.,  39,  40,  107,  109, 

111. 

Alexandria,  La.,  159,  160,  218. 
Allatoona,  Ga.,  226;  battle,  299,  300; 
losses,  300. 

Allen’s  Farm,  Va.  (Seven  Days),  bat- 
tle, 103. 

Amelia  Court  House,  Va.,  355,  363. 
Ames,  Adelbert,  U maj.-gen.,  266, 
293;  Fort  Fisher,  319,  327,  330. 
Anderson,  Robert,  U maj.,  removal  to 
Sumpter,  19 ; defence  of  Sump- 
ter, 29 ; withdrawal,  29 ; Cincin- 
nati, 33;  at  Louisville,  46; 
superseded.  46. 

Anderson,  R.  H.,  C lieut-gen.,  Chancel- 
lorsville,  146,  147 ; Gettysburg, 

162,  176:  Wilderness,  257;  in 

Shenandoah,  280,  281,  282; 

Petersburg,  361 ; Sailor’s  Creek, 

364. 

Andersonville,  Ga.,  236. 

Andersonville  Prison,  236. 

Annapolis,  Md.,  31. 

Antietam,  Md.  (Sharpsburg),  battle, 

114,  115;  strength  and  losses, 

115,  116:  results,  116,  117. 
Appomattox  (Court  House)  Va.,  366, 

368,  370;  campaign,  366,  367; 

Lee  surrenders,  368,  369,  370. 
Appomattox  River,  36,  266,  274,  363, 

365. 

Aquia  Creek,  Va.,  65,  107,  108. 
Archer,  Jas.,  O brig-gen.,  battle  of 
Antietam,  115. 

Area  of  the  South,  24. 

Arkansas,  secession,  20,  32 ; refuses 

Lincoln’s  call  for  troops,  30 ; gen- 
eral condition,  133 ; loyalty  to 
Confederacy,  133,  203. 

Arkansas  Post,  131;  forces,  131. 
Arkansas  River,  131. 

Armies  of  Northern  Va..  366,  367; 

surrender,  370. 

Armistead,  Lewis  A.,  C brig-gen.,  175, 


Armstrong,  Prank  C.,  0 brig-gen.,  348, 
350. 

Army  of  the  Cumberland,  195,  224, 
240. 

Army  of  the  James,  367. 

Army  of  the  Miss.,  85,  123. 

Army  of  the  Ohio,  195 ; Gen.  Buell  in 
command,  123 ; Gen.  Roseu- 
crans  appointed,  127 ; in  Ga., 
122,  123,  195,  224,  240;  in  N. 
C.,  344. 

Army  of  the  Potomac,  McClellan  in 
command,  46 ; its  organization, 
46,  58,  94;  in  the  Peninsular 

campaign,  94,  104 ; withdrawal, 

105;  Pope,  108;  McClellan,  111; 
Burnsides,  117 ; Hooker,  121, 
142 ; Meade,  165 ; under  Grant, 
255,  256. 

Army  of  the  Tennessee,  in  Miss.,  85, 
123 ; at  Chattanooga,  195 : At- 
lanta, 224,  237,  240;  in  N.  C., 
344. 

Army  of  Va.,  under  Pope,  107. 

Arsenals,  19,  20. 

Ashby  Turner,  C brig-gen.,  Romney 
campaign,  60. 

Atchafalaya  River,  La.,  159. 

Athens,  Ala.,  195,  302. 

Atlanta,  Ga.,  importance,  224;  C de- 
fenses, 224;  battles  234.  237, 

238,  239;  U occupation,  240;  de- 
struction, 241,  320;  natives  ex- 

iled, 240,  241 ; losses,  241. 

Atlanta  campaign,  topography,  232; 
strength  of  Johnston  and  Sher- 
man. 224;  cavalry,  224;  battles, 
225,  226,  228,  229;  losses  C. 

232,  U,  227,  230. 

Atlanta  to  Savannah  campaign.  Sher- 
man’s preparations  for,  301.  320, 
321;  order  of  march,  321;  U 
strength,  321;  results,  325. 

Augur,  Christopher  C.,  U maj-gen., 
160. 

Augusta,  Ga.,  313,  322,  334,  335. 

Averell,  Wm.  W.,  U brig-gen.,  Kana- 
wha Valley,  267;  in  Shenandoah, 
279,  280,  282,  283. 

Averysboro’,  S.  C.,  battle,  339,  340. 

Ayres,  R.  B.,  U maj.-gen.,  Petersburg, 
353,  356,  357. 


Bailey,  Theodorus,  U commodore.  New 
Orleans,  88. 

Baird,  Absalom,  U maj.-gen.,  Chat- 
tanooga, 200. 


396 


INDEX 


Baker,  Edward  D.,  U col.,  Ball  Bluff, 
59,  60. 

Baker’s  Creek,  Miss.,  152,  153. 

Ball’s  Bluff,  Va.,  battle,  59;  forces, 
59 ; bad  management,  59,  60 ; re- 
sults, 60. 

Baltimore,  Md.,  convention,  17,  22; 
Mass,  troops  mobbed,  31. 

Banks,  Nath’l  P.,  U maj.-gen.-,  men- 
tioned, 58;  in  Shenandoah,  94,  96, 
97;  at  2nd  Bull  Run,  108;  at  Ce- 
dar Mountain,  106;  succeeds  But- 
ler at  New  Orleans,  159;  in  La., 
139,  159,  160,  206;  Red  River, 
160;  at  Port  Hudson,  160,  161, 
206;  in  Texas,  207;  on  Red 
River,  217,  218,  219,  220,  221. 

Barboursville,  Ky.,  53,  65,  124. 

Bardstown,  Ky.,  125. 

Barksdale,  Wm.,  C brig.-gen.,  Chan- 
cellorsville,  146,  147 ; Gettysburg, 
172. 

Barlow,  Francis  C.,  U maj.-gen.,  Get- 
tysburg, 168,  169;  Wilderness, 

264;  Cold  Harbor,  271;  Peters- 
burg, 275,  290. 

Bates,  Wm.  B.,  C maj.-gen.,  Atlanta 
cam.,  234;  Murfreesboro,  309; 
Nashville,  308,  309,  310;  Ben- 

tonville,  341. 

Batesville,  Ark.,  203. 

Baton  Rouge,  La.,  19,  89,  315;  cap- 
ture, 89,  159. 

Beaufort,  N.  C.,  318,  334. 

Beauregard,  Pierre  G.  T.,  C gen.,  or- 
ders at  Sumpter,  20 ; Fort  Sump- 
ter, 29;  before  Washington,  39; 
at  Bull  Run,  40,  41,  42,  43  ; after 
Bull  Run,  44,  58 ; transferred  to 
Miss.,  72;  at  Island  No.  10,  73, 
82,  83;  Shiloh,  77,  78,  79;  Co- 
rinth, ’75,  85,  86;  superseded  by 
Bragg,  122 ; at  Charleston,  180 ; 
Drewry’s  Bluff,  266;  Petersburg, 
266,  274,  275;  commands  in  Ga,, 
334;  in  S.  C.,  335,  337;  in  N.  C., 
335,  339. 

Beaver  Dam,  Va.,  261. 

Bee,  Barnard  E.,  C brig.-gen..  Bull 
Run,  42,  43. 

Bell,  John,  17,  32. 

Belmont,  Mo.,  battle,  53. 

Benjamin,  Judah  P.,  C att’y-gen.,  sec’y 
of  war,  and  sec’y  of  the  navy,  92. 

Bentonville,  Ark.  (Pea  Ridge),  81. 

Bentonville,  N.  C.,  340 ; battle,  341 ; 
strength,  342  ; losses,  342  ; results, 
342,  343. 

Bermuda  Hundred,  Va.,  266,  272, 

Beverly  Ford,  Va.,  37,  38,  163. 

Big  Bethel,  Va.,  engagement,  40. 

Big  Black  River,  Miss.  (Vicksburg), 
battle,  153. 

Big  Shanty,  Ga.  (Kenesaw),  227,  299. 

Birnev,  David  B.,  U maj.-gen.,  264, 
292,  293. 

Black  Warrior  River,  185. 


Blair,  Francis  P.,  Jr,,  U maj.-gen., 
heads  Union  party  in  Mo.,  33; 
Vicksburg  cam.,  131,  152,  154; 
Atlanta  cam.,  224,  229,  234;  in 
Ga.,  321. 

Blockade,  plans  for,  62,  63;  results. 
24. 

Bloody  Angle  (Spottsylvania),  265. 

Blunt,  Jas.  G.,  U maj.-gen.,  132,  204. 

Boone,  N.  C.,  346. 

Boonesville,  Mo.,  48. 

Booth,  John  Wilkes,  373,  374. 

Booth,  Lionel  F.,  U maj.,  214,  k,  215. 

Border  Slave  States,  32,  33. 

Boston  Mts.,  Ark.,  80,  132,  204. 

Bowen,  John  S.,  C maj.-gen,,  Shiloh, 
77 ; Vicksburg,  151,  152,  157. 

Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  53,  65,  124. 

Boydton  Road,  Va.,  battle,  294. 

Bradford,  W.  F.,  U maj..  Fort  Pillow, 
214,  215. 

Bragg,  Braxton,  C gen.,  at  Shiloh,  75, 
76,  77,  78;  in  Miss.,  122;  suc- 
ceeds Beauregard,  122 ; at  Chat- 
tanooga, 122,  123,  124;  invasion 
of  Ky.,  124,  125,  126;  results, 
126,  127;  at  Frankfort,  125;  Per- 
ryville,  125,  126 ; retreat  from 

Ky.,  126,  127 ; Murfreesboro 

cam.,  134,  135,  136;  occupies 

Chattanooga,  183,  184;  sends 

Morgan  to  Ky.,  186 ; evacuates 
Chattanooga,  189 ; Chickamauga, 
190,  191;  2nd  day’s  plans  de- 

layed, 192 ; disagrees  with  Long- 
street,  194,  195 ; sends  Long- 

street  to  Knoxville,  196 ; occupies 
Missionary  Ridge,  198,  199,  200; 
loses  battle  of  Missionary  Ridge, 
200,  201 ; severely  criticized,  202 ; 
superseded  by  Joseph  E.  Johnston, 
202;  in  Richmond,  232;  in  N.  C., 
339,  340,  343,  344. 

Brady  Station,  Va.,  battle,  163. 

Brashear  City,  La.,  159,  161. 

Breckinridge  Democrats,  17. 

Breckinridge,  John  C.,  C maj.-gen., 
nominated  for  Presidency,  17 ; at 
iShiloh,  76,  77;  rear  guard,  79; 
Murfreesboro,  134,  135,  136 ; 

Chickamauga,  191,  192;  Chat- 

tanooga, 199,  201 ; in  Shenandoah 
Valley,  267;  North  Anna,  269;  in 
Tenn.,  316;  in  N.  C.,  377. 

Brice’s  Cross  Roads,  Miss.,  action,  216. 

Bridgeport,  Ala.,  195. 

Bristoe  Station,  Va.,  208. 

Broad  Run,  Va.,  208. 

Brown,  John  C.,  C maj.-gen..  Spring 
Hill,  303. 

Buchanan,  Franklin,  C adm.,  com. 
“Virginia,”  92,  93 ; at  Mobile, 

244. 

Buchanan,  James,  Pres’t  U.  S.,  18. 

Buchanan,  T.  McKean,  U com’r,  159. 

Buckner,  Simon  B.,  C lieut.-gen.,  45; 
Ky.,  militia,  53 ; at  Bowling 
Green,  53 ; at  Fort  Donelson,  68, 


INDEX 


397 


71 ; surrender,  72 ; Perryville, 
126;  around  Knoxville,  188,  197; 
Chickamauga,  190,  191,  193 ; in 
La.,  381. 

Buell,  Don  Carlos,  U maj.-gen.,  1st 
command  Louisville,  46 ; operation 
against  Zollieoffer,  66,  67;  Nash- 
ville, 73;  delay,  75;  at  Shiloh, 
78,  79;  Corinth  cam.,  85;  fails 
to  occupy  Chattanoo^,  122 ; holds 
Nashville,  123 ; Vs.  Bragg  in  Kj^., 
123,  124;  Perryville  cam.,  125, 

126,  127 ; superseded  by  Rose- 

crans,  127,  128. 

Buford,  Abram,  C brig. -gen.,  men- 
tioned, 214,  217,  297,  311. 

Buford,  John,  U maj.-gen.,  Gettysburg, 
163,  167,  168,  178. 

Bull  Run  (stream),  40;  plan  of  cam., 
40 ; battle,  41,  42,  43 ; strength, 
41,  43 ; stubborn  contest,  42 ; three 
stages,  42,  43;  “Stonewall”  Jack- 
sou  wins  his  title,  42 ; death  of 
Gen.  Bee,  44 ; Gen.  Kirby  Smith 
reinforcement,  43 ; panic  and  riot 
of  Federals,  43 ; Pres.  Davis  ap- 
pears, 43 ; an  opportunity  missed, 
44;  losses,  44;  results,  44;  prepa- 
rations following,  44. 

Burkesville,  Ky.,  186. 

Burbridge,  Stephen  G..  U maj.-gen., 
mentioned,  206,  207,  277,  278. 

Burnside,  Ambrose  E.,  U maj.-gen., 
Roanoke  Island,  91;  South  Mt., 
113;  Antietam,  115;  succeeds  Mc- 
Clellan, 117 ; failure  at  Fredericks- 
burg, 118,  119,  120,  121;  “Mud 
March,”  121;  relieved,  121;  in 
Tenn.,  188;  at  Knoxville,  188, 
196,  197,  198;  added  to  Grant’s 
forces,  255 ; Wilderness  cam., 
256,  258,  264;  Cold  Harbor,  269, 
270;  at  Petersburg,  274,  288. 

Butler,  Benj.  F.,  U maj.-gen.,  Hat- 
teras  exp.,  62 ; at  New  Orleans, 
88,  89 ; Mumford  case,  89 ; char- 
acter, 89,  90 ; Drewry’s  Bluff, 

266;  Petersburg,  292,  294;  failure 
at  Fort  Fisher,  317,  318,  319;  re- 
lieved by  Grant,  319. 

Cabell,  Wm.,  L.,  C brig.-gen.,  204. 

Cairo,  111.,  25,  46. 

Calhoun,  John  C.,  17. 

Canby,  Edward  R.  S.,  U maj.-  gen., 
379;  against  Sibley,  89;  Mobile, 
243,  331,  332;  in  Ala.,  379. 

Cape  Fear  River,  317,  318,  329. 

Cape  Girardeau,  Missouri,  204. 

Carlin,  Wm.  P.,  U maj.-gen.,  in  N. 
C.,  341. 

Carnifex  Ferry,  West  Va.,  55. 

Carondelet,  'The,  U gunboat.  Fort 
Donelson,  69 ; Island  No.  10,  84. 

Carr,  Eugene  A.,  U maj.-gen.,  men- 
tioned, 221;  Mobile,  332. 

Carrick’s  Ford,  W.  Va.,  38. 

Carroll,  Samuel  S.,  U maj.-gen.. 


Shenandoah  Valley,  97;  Spottsyl- 
vania,  264. 

Carter,  Jas.  E.,  C col.  1st  Tenn.  cav., 
battle  of  Franklin,  305. 

Catlett  Station,  Va.,  107. 

Cedar  Creek,  Va.,  281;  battle,  284; 
opposing  forces,  285;  losses,  285. 

Cedar  Mt.,  Va.,  battle,  106;  strength 
and  losses,  106. 

Cemetery  Ridge,  Gettysburg,  167. 

Centerville,  Va.,  41,  43,  58,  65,  110. 

Chalk  Bluff,  Ky.,  52. 

Chalmers,  Jas.  R.,  C brig.-gen.,  in 
Miss.,  217,  348;  Nashville,  310; 
in  Ala.,  349,  350. 

Chambersburg,  Penn.,  164,  165,  167, 
280. 

Chambliss,  John  R.,  C brig.-gen.,  k at 
Petersburg,  290. 

Champion  Hill  (Baker’s  Creek),  battle, 
152,  153. 

Chancellorsville,  Va.,  battle,  142,  143, 
144,  145,  146,  147;  forces,  142; 
Jackson’s  great  flank  movement, 
144,  145  ; Jackson  wounded,  146  ; 
defeat  of  Hooker,  147 ; results, 
147,  148. 

Chantilly,  Va.,  110. 

Charles  City  Cross  Roads,  101. 

Charleston,  S.  C.,  Democratic  conven- 
tion, 17;  defenses,  19,  138; 

Beauregard  in  command,  20 ; ex- 
pedition against,  138,  139;  plan 
of  attack,  180;  threatened  by 
Sherman,  334;  evacuated,  335; 
sufferings,  337,  338;  surrendered, 
337,  338. 

Charlotte,  N.  C.,  32,  335,  337,  347, 
379. 

Charlottesville,  Va.,  354. 

Chattahoochee  River,  Ga.,  228,  230, 

232,  299. 

Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  importance,  122; 
occupied  by  C,  122,  123;  Bragg’s 
base,  127,  183 ; occupied  by  U, 
194;  besieged  by  C,  195;  de- 
fense, 196;  battles  near,  198,  199, 
200,  201. 

Cheat  Mt.,  Va.,  56. 

Cheatham,  Benj.  F.,  C maj.-gen.,  at 
Belmont,  53 ; in  Ky.,  125 ; at  Per- 
rj’ville,  126 ; at  Murfreesboro, 
134;  at  Chickamauga,  190,  191, 
192 ; at  Missionary  Ridge,  199, 
201;  Atlanta  cam.,  229,  233,  235, 
237;  crosses  Tenn.  River,  302; 
Spring  Hill,  303 ; Franklin,  304, 
305;  Nashville,  307,  308,  309;  in 
N.  C.,  341. 

Cheraw,  S.  C.,  335,  337,  338. 

Chicago,  111.,  17,  21. 

Chickahominy  River,  Va.,  36,  94,  266; 
bridges,  98,  99,  100,  103 ; 

swamps,  102. 

Chickamauga,  Ga.,  battle,  190 ; C order 
of  battle,  190,  191;  delay  2nd  day, 
192;  forces  engaged,  190,  191, 

192,  193;  Thomas’  stand,  193; 


398 


INDEX 


Federal  defeat,  193,  194;  0 fail- 
ure to  pursue,  194;  losses,  194; 
results,  194, 

Chickaraauga  River,  189,  190,  201. 

Chickasaw  (Bluffs),  Miss,,  131;  bat- 
tle, 131;  Sherman's  defeat,  131, 

Churchill,  T,  J.,  C maj.-gen,.  Ark,,  132, 

220. 

Cincinnati,  0.,  21,  46,  188, 

City  Point,  Va.,  274,  344,  372;  attack 
on,  352. 

Citronella,  Ala.,  379. 

Clarksville,  Tenn.,  73. 

Clay,  Henry,  13. 

Cleburne,  Pat.  R.,  C maj.-gen..  ability, 
124;  in  Ky.,  124;  Perryville, 
126;  Murfreesboro’,  134;  Chicka- 
mauga,  191,  192;  Chattanooga, 

199,  200,  201;  Atlanta  cam.,  226, 
229,  235,  239;  Franklin,  305,  k. 

Cobb,  Howell,  C maj.-gen.,  350. 

Cobb,  Thos.  A.  R.,  C brig.-gen.,  120. 

Cold  Harbor  (Gaines  Mill),  Va.,  battle, 
270,  271;  opposing  forces,  270; 
useless  slaughter,  271;  Federal 
dreadful  repulse,  271;  Grant’s 
mistake,  271. 

Colored  Troops  (Negroes),  number  en- 
gaged, 380;  the  Crater,  288. 

Colquitt,  Alfred  H.,  C brig.-gen.,  291. 

Columbia,  S.  C.,  334,  335;  burned, 

336,  337. 

Columbia,  Tenn.,  183,  302,  304. 

Columbus,  Ky.,  65,  67 ; occupied  by 
Polk,  52 ; evacuated,  82. 

Columbus,  Ohio,  Penitentiary,  187 
188;  escape  of  Morgan,  188. 

Combahee  River,  S.  C.,  334. 

Confederacy,  162,  210;  population,  22, 
383;  number  of  enlistment,  22, 

383,  384;  wealth,  22;  resources, 
22;  ragged  soldiers,  112;  turning 
point,  137 ; last  days,  288,  289 ; 
326;  causes  of  failure,  265,  287; 
losses,  385,  386. 

Confederate  Gov’t,  1st  established  in 
Montgomery,  Ala.,  18,  19 ; consti- 
tution, 18 ; Capital  changed,  35 ; 
preparation  for  war,  19,  34,  35, 
44,  45;  purpose  of  peace,  18,  34; 
proposals  to  Federal  Gov’t,  18; 
government,  87,  381;  action  as  to 
Sumpter,  20,  29 ; weaknesses,  87, 
91. 

Confederate  Soldiers,  personnel,  121; 
fortitude,  272,  273,  287,  353  ; suf- 
fering, 112,  156,  209,  295,  296, 
307,  308,  369,  387,  388;  love  of 
Lee,  370. 

Congress  of  the  U.  S.,  Buchanan’s 
proposal,  18;  Crittenden  Compro 
raise,  18;  support  of  Lincoln,  18. 

Congress,  The,  U.  S.  Cruiser,  192. 

Conscription  Law,  C.  23,  35,  74. 

Cooper,  Sam’l,  C adj.  and  insp.-gen., 

384,  385. 

Corinth,  Miss.,  73,  315;  A.  S.  John- 
ston, 75,  76;  retreat  to,  79;  Beau- 


regard evacuates,  85,  86 ; battle, 
129,  130;  forces  and  losses,  130. 

Corse,  John  M.,  U maj.-gen.,  Chat- 
tanooga, 200 ; Allatoona,  299 ; at 
Rome,  320. 

Couch,  Darius  N.,  U maj.-gen.,  .Seven 
Pines,  99;  Chancellorsville,  142, 
143,  144. 

Co.\,  .Jacob  D.,  U maj.-gen.,  in  Great 
Kanawha  (Valley),  55;  Atlanta 
cam.,  238;  in  Ala.,  301;  Frank- 
lin, 305;  Wilmington,  329,  330;  in 
N.  C.,  339,  343,  344. 

Crampton’s  Gap,  Md.,  battle,  113, 
114. 

Crayfish  Springs,  Ga.,  190. 

Crawford,  Sam’l  W.,  TJ  maj.-gen.,  Get- 
tvsburg,  172;  Petersburg,  290, 
291,  353,  357. 

Crittenden,  John  J.,  18. 

Crittenden,  Geo.  B.,  C maj.-gen..  Mills 
Spring,  65,  66 ; Shiloh,  72. 

Crittenden,  Thos.  L.,  U maj.-gen., 
Murfreesboro,  123,  134,  135,  136; 
Chickamaiiga,  189,  190,  191,  192, 
193. 

Crook,  Geo.,  U maj.-gen.,  in  Shenan- 
doah, 267,  268,  279,  280,  283; 
Cedar  Creek,  284 ; battle  of  Five 
Forks,  356;  Sailor’s  Creek,  364. 

Cross  Keys,  Va.,  battle,  97. 

Crossland,  Edw.,  C col.  7th  Ky.,  348, 
349. 

Crump’s  Landing  (Shiloh),  73. 

Cub  Run,  Va.,  42,  43. 

Culpeper  Court  House.  Va..  106,  118, 
162,  163,  164,  179,  282. 

Culp’s  Farm,  Ga.,  battle,  228. 

Culp’s  Hill,  Gettysburg,  location,  167. 

Cumberland  Gap,  53,  65,  123,  189. 

Cumberland  Mts.,  65,  66. 

Cumberland  River,  66,  67,  183,  300. 

Cumberland,  Tlie,  U sloop,  destruction, 
92. 

Curtis,  Sam’l  R.,  U maj.-gen.,  in  Mo., 
80,  251;  Pea  Ridge,  80,  81. 

Curtis,  N.  M.,  U maj.-gen.,  319. 

Custer,  Geo.  A.,  U maj.-gen.,  near 
Richmond,  254;  in  Shenandoah, 
281,  282,  284,  353,  354;  Five 

Forks,  358 ; Appomattox  cam., 
364. 

Cynthiana,  Ky.,  122,  277. 

Dahlgren,  John  A.,  U rear-adm.. 
Charleston,  180,  181,  182. 

Dahlgren.  Ulric,  U col.,  raid  to  Rich- 
mond, 254;  killed,  254. 

Dalton,  Ga.,  201,  225,  300;  Confed- 
erates under  Johnston,  224. 

Dallas.  Ga.,  battle,  299. 

Dauphine  Island  (Mobile  Bav),  242, 
243,  244. 

Davis,  .Jefferson.  C pres’t,  character, 
18;  prominence  as  leader,  18,  19; 
military  record,  19 ; elected  pro- 
visional president,  18 ; his  election 
an  accident,  18 ; opinion  of  war, 


INDEX 


399 


19;  responsibility,  74;  moves  to 
Richmond,  40;  before  Bull  Run, 
41;  at  Bull  Run,  43;  support  of 
Lee,  57,  58;  sends  Mason  and 

Slidell  to  England,  63  ; 2nd  inaug- 
uration, 73;  in  Tenn.,  196;  at  At- 
lanta, 232;  replaces  Johnston  with 
Hood,  232;  in  Ga.,  298,  299; 
flight  from  Charlotte,  347 ; leaves 
Richmond,  360;  conference  at  Ab- 
beville, S.  C.,  379;  capture,  351, 
379;  unjust  suspicions,  374; 
cruet  imprisonment,  380;  release, 
380. 

Davis,  Jeff.  C.,  U maj.-gen.,  Chicka- 
mauga,  193;  Atlanta  cam.,  226, 
239;  in  Ga.,  321;  Bentonville, 
341. 

Bearing,  Jas.,  C brig.-gen.,  Appomattox 
cam.,  k,  365. 

Decatur,  Ala.,  301,  302. 

Deep  Bottom,  Va.,  289,  290. 

Deerhound,  The,  English  yacht,  240. 

Demopolis,  Ala.,  333,  348,  349. 

Democratic  Party,  Southern,  17,  116; 
Northern,  17,  117. 

Deserters,  from  U forces,  385;  from 
C forces,  385. 

Devens.  Chas.,  U maj.-gen.,  59,  60. 

Dinwiddie  C.  H.,  Va.,  275,  352,  356, 
357.  358. 

Dodge,  Greenville  M.,  U maj.-gen.,  At- 
lanta cam.,  224,  229,  234. 

Doubleday,  Abner,  U maj.-gen.,  Fred- 
ericksburg, 119;  Gettysburg,  176. 

Dowdall  Tavern,  Va.,  144,  145. 

Dranesville,  Va.,  58,  60. 

Drewry's  Bluff,  Va.,  96,  272,  363;  ac- 
tion, 266. 

Drivers  Gap,  Ga.,  185. 

Duck  River,  Tenn.,  183,  188,  302, 

311. 

Duke.  Basil  W.,  C brig.-gen.,  in  E. 
Tenn.,  316,  317;  in  N.  C.,  347; 
in  S.  C.,  379. 

Duncan,  J.  K.,  C brig.-gen.,  87,  88, 
89. 

Dupont,  Sam.  F..  U rear-adm.,  south 
Atlantic  squadron,  47;  com'ds 
Port  Royal  exped.,  62,  63 ; at 

Charleston,  138.  139. 

Dutch  Gap  Canal,  289,  290. 

Early,  Jubal  A.,  C lieut.-gen.,  against 
Pope,  107,  109 ; Fredericksburg, 
119 ; Chancellorsville,  146,  147 ; 

Gettysburg  cam.,  162,  165,  169, 
171,  173,  174;  Mine  Run,  209;  in 
Wilderness  cam.,  263 ; Cold  Har- 
bor, 269;  Washington  Raid,  279; 
in  Shenandoah'  Valley,  268,  270, 
277,  278,  279,  280.  281;  Win- 
chester, 282;  Fisher  Hill,  283;  Ce- 
dar Creek,  284,  285 ; overwhelming 
odds  against  him,  280,  285,  286; 
at  Waynesboro,  286,  354. 

Eltham’s  Landing,  98. 

Emancipation  Proclamation,  116,  117. 


Emancipation  by  states,  14. 

Emmetsburg  Road,  Md.,  165. 

Emory,  Wm.  H.,  U maj.-gen. ; Sabine 
Cross  Roads,  219;  Pleasant  Hill, 
220 ; at  Washington,  279 ; in  the 
Shenandoah,  284,  285. 

Ericsson,  Jolin,  U capt..  Monitor,  93. 

Etowah  River,  Ga.,  226,  300. 

Evans,  Nathan  G.,  C brig.-gen..  Bull 
Run,  42,  59,  60;  Ball  Bluff,  60. 

Ewell,  Richard  S.,  C Lieut.-gen., 
Shenandoah  Valley,  96,  97 ; Get- 
tysburg, commands  .Jackson’s 
Corps,  162,  163,  164,  166,  168, 
169,  170,  171,  173,  178;  Cold 
Harbor,  270;  Wilderness  Cam- 
paign, 255,  256,  257,  258,  259, 
264,  265;  at  Richmond,  356,  361; 
rear  guard,  361;  Appomattox, 
363,  364;  surrender,  364,  365. 

Ewing,  Hugh,  U maj.-gen.,  in  Mo., 
250. 

Ezra  Church,  Ga.,  237,  238. 

Fagan,  J.  F.,  C maj.-gen.,  161,  250. 

Fair  Oaks  (Seven  Pines),  battle,  99. 

Falmouth,  Va.,  118,  119. 

Farmville,  Va.,  363,  364,  365,  366. 

Farragut.  David,  G.,  U rear-adm,,  N. 
O.,  expedition,  88,  89,  141;  cool- 
ness, 244;  his  glory,  244;  ascends 
the  Miss.,  89;  at  Mobile,  243,  244, 
245 ; fails  at  Port  Hudson,  140, 
141,  159. 

Fayetteville,  Ark.,  132. 

Fayetteville,  N.  C.,  338,  339,  341. 

Federal  Navj’,  organized,  47. 

Ferrero,  Edw.,  U maj.-gen.,  Peters- 
burg, 288,  289. 

Fisher’s  Hill,  Va.,  battle,  283. 

Five  Forks,  Va.,  battle,  356,  357 ; im- 
portance, 358;  blow  to  Lee,  358. 

Florence,  Ala.,  301,  302,  347. 

Florida,  secedes,  18;  expedition,  222. 

Florida,  steamer,  C 242,  248,  249. 

Floyd,  John  B.,  C brig.-gen..  Sec.  of 
War,  55;  in  West  Va.,  55,  57; 
Fort  Donelson,  68,  70,  71,  72. 

Folly  Island,  180. 

Foote,  Andrew  Hull,  TJ  rear-adm.. 
Fort  Henry,  68 ; Fort  Donelson, 
69,  70;  Island  No.  10,  83,  84. 

Forrest,  Nath.  B.,  C lieut.-gen.,  char- 
acter, 79,  308;  Port  Donelson,  71, 
72;  escape,  '72;  at  Shiloh,  79; 
raids  in  Tenn.,  123,  134,  183; 

capture  of  Streight,  184,  185,  186; 
capture  of  Crittenden,  123 ; Holly 
Springs,  Miss.,  130;  at  Paducah, 
Ky.,  214;  Fort  Pillow,  214,  215, 
2i6;  Brice-Cross  Roads,  216,  217; 
Okalona,  213;  Chickamauga,  190; 
in  Tenn.,  184,  232,  297,  298; 

Memphis,  297 ; at  .lohnsonville, 
298;  with  Hood,  298,  302;  at 
Franklin,  304;  rear-guard  after 
Nashville,  311;  in  Ala.,  348;  Sel- 
ma, 349,  350;  surrenders,  379. 


400 


INDEX 


Forts : 

Anderson,  Paducah,  Ky.,  214, 

Beauregard,  S.  C.,  63. 

Blakely,  Mobile,  Ala.,  331,  332. 

Donelson,  Tenn.,  works,  68;  forces, 
70,  72;  suffering  of  soldiers,  70; 
bombardment,  69,  70,  71;  efforts 
of  C.  to  escape,  71,  72;  uncondi- 
tional surrender,  72;  losses  of  C., 
72;  losses  of  U.,  72. 

Fisher,  N.  C.,  317,  defenses,  318, 
328;  attacks,  318,  319,  327,  328; 
heroic-defenses,  328 ; losses,  329. 

Gaines,  Ala.,  242,  243,  244. 

Harrison,  Va.,  292,  293. 

Heiman.  Ky.,  68,  297. 

Henry,  Tenn.,  65,  67,  68;  brave  de- 
fense, 68 ; surrender,  68 ; badly 
situated,  68. 

Hindman,  Ark.,  132. 

Jackson,  La.,  87;  defense,  87,  88; 
mutiny,  89 ; surrender,  89. 

McAllister,  Ga.,  324;  attack,  324. 

McRae,  Fla.,  62. 

Magruder,  Va.,  95. 

Monroe.  Va.,  62,  380. 

Morgan,  Ala.,  242,  243 ; surrender, 
245. 

Morris,  S.  C.,  19. 

Morrltrie,  S.  C.,  19. 

Pemberton,  Miss. 

Pender,  C,  162,  168,  175. 

Pickens,  S.  C.,  19,  62 ; its  weakness, 
62. 

Pillow,  Tenn.,  214;  taken  by  H,  79; 
capture  by  C,  216 ; destruction, 
216;  accusation  against  Forrest, 
214;  strength,  214;  losses,  216. 

Pulaski.  Ga.,  19,  90. 

St.  Philips,  La.,  situation,  87 ; sur- 
render, 89. 

Sanders,  Tenn.,  attack,  197 ; C, 
losses,  197. 

Scott,  Kan.,  50. 

Smith,  Ark.,  204. 

Steadman,  Va.,  attack,  355;  losses, 
355. 

Sumter,  S.  0.,  19,  20;  Anderson 

moves  to,  19 ; bombardment,  19, 

138;  opening  of  the  war,  20; 
evacuation,  29 ; attacks  by  Fed- 
eral, 182. 

Wagner,  S.  C.,  180,  181,  182. 

Walker,  S.  C.,  63. 

Warren,  Mass.,  63,  380. 

Foster,  .Tohn  G.,  U maj.-gen.,  in  Ga., 
323,  324;  in  N.  C.,  138. 

Frankfort,  Ky.,  125. 

Franklin,  Wm.  B.,  TJ  maj.-gen.,  58; 

Peninsular  Campaign,  98,  101; 

Eltham  Landing,  98 ; Gaines  Mill. 
102;  Frazier  Farm,  103;  2nd 
Manassas,  110;  Crampton  Pass, 
113;  Antietam,  115;  Fredericks- 
burg, 119,  121;  in  Texas,  206;  in 
La.,  206. 


Franklin,  Tenn.,  battle,  302,  303,  304; 
bravery  of  the  C,  305 ; sangui- 
nary results,  305 ; fearful  losses  of 
C,  305,  308. 

Frazier  Farm,  Va.,  battle,  103,  104. 

Fredericksburg,  Va.,  118;  situation, 
118;  battle,  119,  120;  bombard- 
ment by  Federals,  119;  forces  en- 
gaged, 119,  121;  valour  of  Fed- 
erals, 120 ; Federals  great  defeat, 
120;  losses,  120. 

Fi'emont,  John  C.,  U maj.-gen.,  in  Mo., 
46;  radical  proclamation,  50; 
blunder  in  campaign,  50 ; actions 
disapproved  by  Lincoln,  50 ; in 
West  Va.,  96;  in  Shenadoah  Val- 
ley, 97 ; refuses  to  serve  under 
Pope,  106. 

French,  Sam  G.,  C maj.-gen.,  Atlanta 
Campaign,  229;  at  Allatoona,  Ga., 
299,  300. 

Front  Royal,  Va.,  97. 

Fry,  Jas.  B.,  U maj.-gen.,  66. 

Fugitive  Slave  Law,  13,  15,  16. 

Gaines  Mill,  Va.,  battle,  102;  marked 
valor  of  C,  102 ; losses,  102. 

Galveston,  Tex.,  expedition,  139. 

Gardener,  Frank,  C maj.-gen.,  at  Port 
Hudson,  160,  161. 

Garfield,  James  A.,  U maj.-gen.,  in  Ky., 
65 ; at  Chickamauga,  193. 

Garnett,  Richard  B.,  C brig-gen., 
Shenandoah,  Gettysburg,  175,  176. 

Garnett,  Robert  Selden,  C brig.-gen., 
in  West  Va.,  37 ; killed,  38. 

Gauley  Bridge,  W.  Va.,  55. 

Geography  of  the  South,  24,  25. 

, Georgia,  secession,  18;  militia,  234; 

I great  destruction  of  property  by 

Sherman,  325,  326. 

Germanna  Ford,  Va.,  143,  256. 

Getty,  Geo.  W.,  U maj.-gen..  Wilder- 
ness Cam.,  257. 

Gettysburg,  Cam.,  Penn.,  162 ; battle, 
(.July  3-1863),  168-179;  Meade  in 
command  of  Federals,  165;  battle 
ground  topography,  167,  168;  cir- 
cumstances leading  to  fight,  168 ; 
1st  day’s  battle,  Heth  enters 
Gettysburg,  168,  169 ; Confederate 
success,  169;  night  conference  of 
Lee  and  his  generals,  170,  171; 
Longstreet’s  delay  on  the  2nd  day, 
171;  battle  of  July  2nd,  171; 
Little  Round  Top  and  Peach  Or- 
chard, 171,  172 ; Ewell’s  efforts  on 
the  left,  173 ; July  3rd,  delay  in 
the  morning  177 ; terrific  artillery 
duel,  175;  Pickett’s  heroic 
charge,  175,  176;  his  defeat,  177; 
Lee  after  the  battle,  177 ; Con- 
federate retreat,  178,  179;  Meade 
criticised,  178,  179;  results,  178, 
179. 

Gibbon,  John,  U maj.-gen.,  Fredericks- 
burg, 119;  Gettysburg,  176;  Wil- 
derness Cam.,  259,  264 ; Cold  Har- 


INDEX 


401 


bor,  271;  Petersburg,  275,  290, 
291,  292,  859. 

Gibson,  R.  L.,  C brig. -gen..  Mobile,  331, 
332. 

Gilbert,  Chas.  C.,  U brig.-gen.,  Perry- 
viile,  125. 

Gillem,  A.  C.,  TJ  maj.-gen.,  278,  316, 
317,  346. 

Gilmore,  Quincy  A.,  U maj.-gen.,  at 
Charleston,  180,  181,  337,  338; 
Petersburg,  266. 

Glasgow,  Ky.,  122,  124,  125. 

Glendale,  Va.,  102,  103. 

Goldsboro,  N.  C.,  334,  343,  344,  375. 

Goldsborough,  Louis  M.,  U rear  adm., 
Hampton  Roads,  9i;  N.  Atlantic 
Squadron,  47. 

Gordon,  G.  tV.,  C brig.-gen.,  305. 

Gordon,  John  B.,  C lieut.-gen..  Wilder- 
ness, 259 ; Shenandoah  Valley, 
283,  284;  Petersbrirg,  286,  353, 
355;  Appomattox,  363,  364,  365, 
366,  367,  368. 

Gordonsville,  Va.,  106,  144,  155,  256. 

Govan,  Dan’l  C.,  C brig.-gen.,  Atlanta, 
239,  240. 

Grand  Coteau,  La.,  206. 

Grand  Ecore,  La.,  218,  219,  220. 

Grade,  Archibald,  C brig.-gen.,  274. 

Grand  Bluff.  Miss.,  150. 

Grandburj-,  H.  B.,  C brig.-gen.,  305. 

Granger,  Gordon,  U maj.-gen.,  in 
Tenn.,  184;  at  Chickamauga,  190, 
193 : Chattanooga,  198 ; Knox- 
ville, 201;  at  Mobile,  243,  244, 
245,  331,  332;  in  Ala.,  301. 

Grant,  Ulysses  S.,  U Sen.,  character, 
46;  appearance,  369;  in  corn’d  at 
Cairo,  46,  67 ; sends  force  to  oc- 
cupy Paducah,  Ky.,  53 ; Belmont, 
narrow  escape,  53 ; Fort  Henry, 
68;  Port  Donelson,  68,  69,  70, 
71 ; unconditional  surrender,  72  ; in 
discredit  with  Halleck,  73,  85 ; at 
Shiloh,  75,  77,  78;  surprised,  85; 
Corinth,  85 ; stores  captured  by 
Forrest  and  forced  to  retreat,  130; 
in  Tenn.,  123 ; Vicksburg  Cam., 
131,  149,  150,  151,  152,  153,  154, 
155 ; failures,  140,  150 ; capture 
of  Vicksburg,  156,  157;  praises, 
157,  158,  253 ; operations  at  Chat- 
tanooga, 195,  196,  197,  198,  199, 
200,  201;  appointed  lieut.-gen., 

222,  253;  goes  to  Washington, 

253 ; consideration  for  Meade, 
253;  plans  for  great  cam.,  254; 
Wilderness  Cam.,  255,  256,  257, 
258;  Spottsylvania,  261,  262,  263, 
264,  265,  266;  dispatches  to 

Washington,  264;  maneuvers 
checkmated,  269 ; terrible  defeat  at 
Cold  Harbor,  270,  271;  memoirs, 
271;  crosses  the  James,  271; 
great  sacrifice  of  life,  272,  273, 
287;  Petersburg,  274,  287,  288, 
289,  290,  292,  293,  295,  362,  353, 


356,  358,  359;  watchfulness,  355; 
in  pursuit  of  Lee,  362,  366,  367; 
Appomattox,  368;  conference  with 
Lee,  368;  magnanimity  to  Lee  and 
his  soldiers,  369,  370,  371;  at 
Washington,  371,  372,  378. 
Gravelly  Springs,  Ala.,  347. 

Great  Kanawha  Valley,  55,  65. 

Great  Pedee  River,  338; 

Green,  Thos.,  C brig.-gen.,  Texas,  206 ; 

in  La.,  220. 

Greeley,  Horace,  24. 

Greenbrier  River,  Va.,  55. 

Greensboro,  N.  C.,  347 ; surrender  of 
Johnston,  379. 

Gregg,  David,  M.,  U maj.-gen.,  271, 

290,  294,  295,  352,  353,  356,  357, 
364,  366. 

Gregg,  John,  C brig.-gen.,  151. 

Gregg,  Maxey,  C maj.-gen.,  k,  120. 
Grierson,  Benj.  H.,  U maj.-gen..  Miss., 
150,  213,  217,  315,  316. 

Griffin,  Charles,  U maj.-gen..  Wilder- 
ness Cam.,  257,  263;  Petersburg, 

291,  356,  357,  358;  Appomattox, 
367,  368. 

Griswoldville,  Ga.,  321,  322. 

Grover,  Cuvier,  TJ  maj.-gen..  Red  River, 
159;  Port  Hudson,  160. 

Groverton,  Va.,  battle,  108,  109. 
Guntown,  Miss.,  315. 

Gunboats,  at  Fort  Henry,  68 ; Donel- 
son, 69,  70;  Island  No.  10,  83, 
84,  86;  N.  O.,  88;  Port  Pillow 
and  Memphis,  86,  215;  Shiloh, 

78;  Neuse  River,  138;  Galveston, 
139;  Sabine  Pass,  140;  Blair 
Landing,  La.,  220. 

Halleck,  Henry  W.,  TJ  maj.-gen.,  67 ; 
in  Mo.,  46 ; interference  with 
Grant  in  Tenn.,  and  at  Corinth, 
73,  85,  86;  Gen.  in  chief  at  Wash- 
ington, 122 ; relation  to  Burnsides, 
118;  to  Hooker,  164;  denounces 
Sherman’s  “Basis  of  Agreement,” 

378. 

Hamilton,  Schuyler,  U maj.-gen.,  gt 
New  Madrid,  84. 

Hampton,  Wade,  C lieut.-gen.,  in  Va., 
163,  271,  276,  292,  295;  daring 
raid  behind  Grant,  292 ; cavalry 
forces  in  S.  C.,  335,  336;  in  N. 
C.,  339,  341;  burning  of  Colum- 
bia, 336;  refuses  to  surrender, 

379. 

Hampton  Roads,  Va.,  91,  92. 

Hancock,  Winfield  S.,  U maj.-gen.,  at 
Williamsburg,  95 ; Fredericksburg, 
119;  Gettysburg,  164,  167,  169, 
170,  172 ; splendid  generalship  at 
Gettysburg,  173,  176;  Wilderness 
Cam.,  255,  256,  257,  258,  259; 
Spottsylvania,  263,  264,  265;  Cold 
Harbor,  269,  270,  27L;  at  Peters- 
burg, 274,  288,  290,  292,  294. 
Hanover,  C.  H.,  Va.,  262,  270. 


402 


INDEX 


Hardee,  Wm.  J.,  C lieut.-gen.,  at 
Shiloh,  76;  in  Ky.,  122,  125;  in 
Tenn.,  134;  at  Murfreesboro,  135; 
at  Chattanooga,  201;  Atlanta 
Cam.,  224,  226,  227,  228,  229, 
230;  battle  of  Atlanta,  233,  234, 
235;  battle  of  Jonesboro,  239,  240; 
Georgia  Cam.,  at  Savannah,  323, 
324,  325;  in  S.  C.,  335,  337,  339, 
340;  in  N.  C.,  340. 

Hare’s  Hill,  Va.,  355. 

Hard  Times,  Miss.,  150. 

Harper’s  Ferry,  164,  281 ; seized  by 
C,  30;  value  of  property,  30,  114; 
weakness,  114;  Johnston  in  corn’d, 
39;  captured  by  Jackson,  112,  114, 
116. 

Harpeth  River,  Tenn.,  304. 

Harris  G.  Isham,  Gov.  Tenn.,  32,  303. 

Harriet  Lane,  the  U steamer,  at  Gal- 
veston, 139. 

Harrison  Landing,  Va.,  McClellan,  105. 

Harrodsburg,  Ky.,  122,  126. 

Hartford,  TJ  cruiser,  89,  140,  244. 

Hartesville,  Tenn.,  123. 

Hatch.  Edw.,  U maj.-gen.,  Nashville, 
311. 

Hatcher’s  Run,  Va.,  battle,  352,  353. 

Hatchie  River,  129,  130. 

Hatteras  Inlet,  62. 

Haynes  Bluff,  Vicksburg,  131. 

Hazen,  Wm.  B.,  U maj.-gen.,  Chat- 
tanooga, 200 ; Bentonville,  342. 

Heintzelman,  Sam’l  R.,  XJ  maj.-gen.. 
Bull  Run,  1st,  42 ; Peninsular 
Cam.,  98,  101,  103;  2nd  Manas- 
sas, 107,  110. 

Helena,  Ark.,  161. 

Herron,  Francis  J.,  U maj.-gen..  Ark., 
132;  Texas,  206. 

Henry  House,  Bull  Run,  42. 

Heth,  Henry,  C maj.-gen.,  Gettysburg, 

162,  168;  Wilderness  Cam.,  257; 
Cold  Harbor,  269 ; Petersburg, 
290,  291. 

Hickman,  Ky.,  52. 

Hickman  Creek,  Tenn.,  69. 

Hill,  Ambrose  P.,  C lieut.-gen.,  char- 
acter, 102  ; Peninsular  Cam.,  101 ; 
Gaines  Mill,  102,  103 ; during  Mc- 
Clellan retreat,  103;  2nd  Manas- 
sas, 109;  Antietam,  113,  114,  115; 
Fredericksburg,  119 ; Chancellors- 
ville,  145,  146;  Gettysburg,  162, 

163,  164,  166,  167,  168,  169,  170, 

171,  172,  173,  174,  175,  176; 

hard  fight  at  Wilderness,  255,  256, 
257,  258,  259;  Spottsvlvania  and 

Cold  Harbor,  269,  270,  271;  Pe- 

tersburg, 275,  291,  292,  293,  353; 
Five  Porks,  355,  356,  357 ; killed, 
359;  burial,  360. 

Hill,  r>.  H.,  C lieut.-gen..  Peninsular 
Cam.,  99 ; Seven  Pines,  99 ; 
Gaines  Mill,  102 ; Beaver  Dam, 
101;  Malvern  Hill,  104;  brave  de- 
fense at  South  Mt.,  113;  lost  or- 


ders, 112;  on  James  River,  137; 
Antietam,  114;  sent  to  Fredericks- 
burg, 138;  at  Chickamauga,  189, 
191,  192;  in  N.  C.,  138,  343;  at 
Augusta,  Ga.,  334. 

Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  63,  323. 

Hindman,  Thus.  C.,  C maj.-gen.,  corn'd 
Ti-ans.  Miss,  dpt.,  133 ; in  Ark., 
132,  133;  Chickamauga,  189,  191. 

Hobson,  Edw.  H.,  U brig.-gen., 
against  Morgan,  186,  187. 

Hoke,  Robt.  P.,  C maj.-gen.,  Gettys- 
burg, 173;  Cold  Harbor,  269; 
Fort  Fisher,  328,  329,  330;  Ben- 
tonville, 340,  341;  Kinston,  N.  0., 
343. 

Hollins,  Geo.  N.,  C commodore.  Island, 
No.  10,  82. 

Holly  Springs,  Miss.,  180. 

Holmes,  Theophilus,  H.,  C lieut.-gen., 
corn’d  Trhns-Miss.  dpt.,  132;  in 
Ark.,  132,  161;  Helena,  161. 

Hood,  John  B.,  C lieut.-gen.,  at  Gaines 
Mill,  102 ; Groveton,  109 ; Antie- 
tam, 115;  his  valor  and  his  suffer- 
ing, 172,  233,  313;  Gettysburg, 
162,  163,  171,  172,  175;  great 
service  at  Chickamauga,  191,  193; 
.Atlanta  Cam.,  224,  226,  228;  su- 
persedes Johnston,  232 ; his  of- 
fensive movements,  233,  235,  237, 
238,  239;  rebukes  Sherman,  240, 
241;  move  to  Tenn.,  297,  298, 
299,  300,  301;  delays,  302;  fatal 
errors  at  Spring  Hill,  303;  battle 
of  Franklin,  304,  305;  defeat  at 
Nashville,  306,  307,  308,  309,  310, 
311,  312;  relieved  from  command, 
313. 

Hooker,  Joseph,  U maj.-gen.,  58;  Pen- 
insular Cam.,  95 ; Williamsburg, 
95 ; 2nd  battle  Bull  Bun,  109 ; 
South  Mt.,  113;  Antietam,  115; 
Fredericksburg,  119;  differs  with 
Burnside,  120 ; supersedes  Burn- 
side, 121,  142;  good  organizer, 

142 ; crushing  defeat  at  Chancel- 
lorsville,  143,  144,  145,  146,  147; 
after  Chancellorsville,  163,  164, 

165 ; superseded  by  Meade,  165 ; 
Chattanooga  Cam.,  195,  196,  199, 
201;  Atlanta,  224,  225,  226;  dif- 
ferences with  Sherman,  228,  237 ; 
relieved  of  command,  237. 

Hovey,  A.  P.,  U maj.-gen.,  152. 

Howard,  Oliver  O.,  U maj.-gen.,  Fred- 
ericksburg, 119 ; Chancellorsville 
defeat,  142,  144,  145 ; at  Gettys- 
burg, 164,  167,  173;  good  work  at 
Gettysburg,  164,  167,  173;  At- 

lanta, 224,  227,  229,  300,  301; 
succeeds  McPherson,  237,  239; 

Ga.  Cam.,  321,  322,  323;  N.  C., 
334,  335,  336,  338,  340,  341. 

Huger,  Benj.,  C maj.-gen..  Seven 
Pines,  99,  101;  Frayser  Farm, 

103,  104;  Malvern  Hill,  104. 


mBEX 


403 


Humphrer,  Andrew  A.,  U maj.-gen., 
Gettysburg,  172;  Petersburg,  292, 
352,  356;  pursuit  of  Lee,  365, 
366. 

Hunt.  Henry  J.,  U Meade’s  chief  of  ar- 
tillery, Gettysburg,  175. 

Hunter,  David,  U maj.-gen.,  90;  1st 
Bull  Run,  42;  in  Mo..  46,  51,  52; 
near  Lynchburg,  267,  269,  277, 
278;  retreat,  268. 

Huntsville,  Ala.,  86,  302. 

Hurlbut,  Stephen  A.,  U maj.-gen., 
Shiloh,  73,  76;  Meridian,  212; 

Memphis,  297. 

Imboden,  John  D.,  C brig.-gen.,  inter- 
view with  Lee  at  Gettysburg,  177. 

Independence,  Mo..  251. 

Indians,  at  Pea  Ridge,  80.  81,  82. 

Irwinsville,  Ga.,  351 ; President  Davis 
capture,  379. 

Island  No.  10,  82,  83;  canal,  84; 

brave  defense,  83,  84;  surrender, 
84:  C losses,  84;  results,  84,  85. 

luka.  Miss.,  129;  battle,  129,  130. 

Jackson,  Claiborne  P.,  Gov.  Mo.,  32 ; 
works  for  secession,  33,  48. 

Jackson,  James  S.,  U maj.-gen.,  k, 
Perryville,  126. 

Jackson,  H.  R.,  C brig.-gen.,  in  W. 
Va.,  56,  57. 

Jackson,  Thos.  .1.  (Stonewall),  C lieut.- 
gen.,  39 ; Harper’s  Ferry,  39  ; 1st. 
Bull  Run,  42;  origin  “Stonewall,” 
42;  at  Winchester,  44;  Romney 
exp.,  60,  61;  hardships,  61;  won- 
derful victories,  94,  96;  in  Shen- 
andoah, 97,  98 ; near  Richmond, 
98,  100;  Beaver  Dam,  102; 

Gaines  Mill,  102;  Grapevine 
Bridge,  103 ; White  Oak  Bridge, 
103,  104;  Malvern  Hill,  104; 

Cedar  Mt.,  106;  2nd  Manassas, 
107,  108,  109,  110;  Harper’s 

Ferry  (capture),  112,  113,  114; 
Antietam,  114,  115;  Fredericks- 

burg, 118;  Chancellorsville,  143, 
144,  146 ; great  flank  movement  of 
the  war,  144,  145 ; wounded,  145 ; 
death,  145 ; greatest  Corps  com- 
mander of  the  war,  145. 

Jackson,  Wm.  L.,  C brig.-gen.,  346. 

Jackson,  Wm.  H.,  C brig.-gen.,  348, 
349,  350. 

Jackson,  Miss.,  130,  155 ; capture,  158 ; 
burned,  212. 

Jackson,  Tenn.,  130,  213,  297. 

Jacksonville,  Fla.,  222. 

James  Island  (Charleston),  180,  181. 

James  River,  25,  36,  93,  255,  266,  272, 
287,  292,  352,  354,  363. 

Jefferson  City,  Mo.,  33,  50. 

Jenkins,  Albert,  C gen..  Wilderness,  k, 
259. 

Jericho  Mills,  Va.,  269. 


Johnson,  Andrew,  mil.  gov.  Tenn.,  32; 
vice-pres.  U.  S.,  375;  Pres.  U.  S., 
377,  378. 

Johnson,  Bushrod  R.,  C maj.-gen.,  Pe- 
tersburg, 288;  Five  Porks,  356, 
357,  358. 

Johnson,  Edw.,  C maj.-gen.,  Gettysburg, 
162,  165,  173,  174;  Wilderness, 
2o7:  Spottsylvania,  264;  battle  of 
Franklin,  304. 

Johnston,  Albert  Sidney,  C gen.,  in 
Tenn.,  45 : Bowling  Green,  67 ; 
com.  of  Western  Army,  67,  68 ; 
limited  resources,  and  small  army, 
67 ; Port  Donelson,  68 ; concen- 
trates at  Murfreesboro,  72 ; criti- 
cism, 75;  Corinth,  75;  battle  of 
Shiloh,  75,  76;  death,  77;  sorrow 
of  South,  79 ; military  experience, 
79. 

Johnston,  Joseph  E.,  C gen.,  in  Shen- 
andoah, 39,  40 ; outwits  Patterson, 
40,  41 ; 1st  Bull  Run,  41,  43 ; af- 
ter Bull  Run,  44,  58 ; before 

Richmond,  94,  98,  99,  100; 

wounded,  99 ; superseded  by  Lee, 
100;  in  Tenn.  and  Miss.,  151; 
Vicksburg  Cam.,  151,  152,  155, 

156,  158 ; supersedes  Bragg,  202 ;. 
at  Dalton,  fine  organizer,  211;  At- 
lanta Cam.,  224,  225,  226,  227, 
228,  229,  230;  brilliant  defense, 
230;  great  strategist,  230,  232; 
superseded  by  Hood,  232;  in  N. 
C.,  313,  339;  at  Bentonville,  340, 
341,  342,  343;  pursued  by  Sher- 
man, 375;  conditional  treaty  for 
surrender,  376,  377,  378;  sur- 

render, 378,  379. 

Jonesboro,  Ga.,  battle,  239. 

Jones,  David  R.,  C maj.-gen.,  Antietam, 
115;  Knoxville,  188;  Shenandoah 
Valley,  k,  267. 

Jones,  Joseph,  Dr.,  C surg.-gen.,  384. 

Judah,  Henry  M.,  U brig.-gen.,  in  Ky., 
186. 

Kanawha  River,  187. 

Kanawha  Valley,  55,  56. 

Kantz,  August  V.,  U maj.-gen.,  raid, 
275,  276,  293. 

Kearny,  Philip,  U maj.-gen.,  Williams- 
burg, 95;  under  Pope,  107;  k, 
110. 

Kearsarge,  The,  U cruiser,  246;  de- 
scription, 247 ; destroys  the  Ala- 
bama, 247,  248. 

Kemper,  Jas.  L.,  C maj.-gen.,  Gettys- 
burg, 175,  176. 

Kenesaw  Mt.,  Ga.,  227,  299 ; battle, 
229;  severe  XJ  defeat,  229. 

Kentucky,  a border  State,  33 ; sym- 
pathy of  people,  33 : slaveholders, 
33;  family  division,  33;  Gov.  Ma- 
goffin refuses  call  for  troops,  30; 
neutrality,  33,  52;  never  consid- 
ered by  Pederals,  52;  election,  34; 


404 


II^DEX 


U control,  34 ; State  Guards,  33, 
53 ; Confederates  in  State,  52 ; 
Columbus,  52 ; Bowling  Green,  53, 
65,  124;  battle  Mills  Spring,  66, 
67 ; Grant  at  Paducah,  53,  67 ; 
Fort  Heiman,  68 ; Bragg’s  inva- 
sion, 124,  125,  126,  127;  Mor- 
gan’s raid,  122,  123,  134,  186, 
277,  278;  Lyon’s  raid,  312. 

Keokuk,  U iron-clad,  139. 

Kernstown,  Va.,  battle,  94,  95,  279. 

Kershaw,  Jos.  B.,  0 maj.-gen.,  in 

Shenandoah  Valley,  281,  284,  286; 
Petersburg,  361;  Appomattox,  363, 
364,  365. 

Keyes,  Erasmus  D.,  U maj.-gen.,  men- 
tioned, 58;  Peninsular  Cam.,  98, 
101,  102,  103;  Suffolk,  137. 

Kilpatrick,  Judson,  U maj.-gen.,  at 
Gettysburg,  178;  raid  on  Rich- 
mond, 254;  in  Ga.,  238,  239,  321, 
322;  in  N.  C.,  339,  340,  342. 

Kinston,  N.  C.,  battle,  343,  344. 

Knoxville,  Tenn.,  44,  53,  122,  123, 

188,  194,  196,  197,  198,  816,  346. 

Lafayette,  Ga.,  300. 

Lamb,  Wm.,  C col.,  defense  of  Fort 
Fisher,  327,  328,  329. 

Laurel  Mt.,  W.  Va.,  37. 

Laurence,  Kan.,  205. 

Lee,  Fitzhugh,  C maj.-gen..  Yellow 
Tavern,  261;  Trevilian  Station, 
272;  Reams  Station,  276;  in 
Shenandoah,  281,  282;  at  Five 

Fo%ks,  356;  Sailors  Creek,  365; 
last  stand,  367. 

Lee,  G.  W.  C.,  C maj.-gen.,  363,  364. 

Lee,  Robert  E.,  C gen.,  commander  of 
Va.  troops,  39;  resigns  from  U.  S. 
Army,  39 ; in  Richmond,  40 ; 
commands  in  W.  Va.,  44,  56,  57 ; 
difficulties,  56,  57 ; Cheat  Mt.,  56 ; 
in  S.  C.,  57 ; character,  57,  58, 
143;  appearance,  100,  369; 

military  experience,  100 ; super- 
sedes .Johnson,  100 ; Seven  Pines, 
99,  100;  conference  with  Jackson, 
100;  Gaines  Mills,  102,  103;  Mal- 
vern Hill,  104;  against  Pope,  106, 
107,  108,  109,  110;  Antietam, 

112,  113,  114,  115,  116;  splendid 
generalship,  116,  143,  148,  272, 

273,  278;  Fredericksburg,  118, 

119,  120,  121,  142;  Chancellors- 
ville,  142,  143,  144,  146;  sends 
Jackson  on  his  flank  movement, 

144,  145 ; drives  Hooker  across 

the  Rappahannock,  147 ; Gettvs- 
burg  Cam.,  162,  163,  165,  166, 

167,  169,  170,  171,  173,  174,  175; 
order  to  his  army,  166 ; Pickett’s 
failure  a great  disappointment, 
176,  177;  retreat,  178,  179;  in 
Va.,  208;  Mine  Run,  209,  210; 
recruiting  at  Orange,  254;  Wilder- 
ness, 255,  256,  258,  259,  260; 


consents  to  go  to  the  rear,  258 ; 
at  Spottsylvania,  261,  262,  263, 
264,  265,  266;  Cold  Harbor,  269, 
270,  271;  after  Cold  Harbor,  272; 
Petersburg,  274,  278,  288,  294, 
352,  353,  355,  356,  357,  358,  359; 
fortitude,  292,  353 ; heart  of  the 
defense,  295,  296;  commander  in 
chief,  339;  evacuates  Richmond, 
360,  361;  final  cam.,  363,  364, 
865,  366,  367;  surrender  at  Ap- 
pomattox, 368,  369,  370. 

Lee,  Stephen  D.,  C lieut.-gen.,  in  Miss., 
196,  211,  217;  Atlanta  Cam.,  237; 
in  Tenn.,  302,  304;  Nashville,  307, 
309,  311. 

Lee,  Wm.  H.  F.,  C maj.-gen.,  Beverly 
Ford,  Va.,  163;  Five  Forks,  357, 
358;  Appomattox,  368. 

Jjeesburg,  Va.,  58,  65,  112. 

Letcher,  John,  Gov.  Va.,  37,  39. 

Lexington,  Mo.,  50. 

Liddell,  St.  John  R.,  C brig.-gen.,  331. 

Lincoln,  Abraham,  character,  164; 
nomination  at  Chicago,  17 ; elec- 
tion, 18;  plan  to  relieve  Fort 
Sumter,  20 ; 1st  call  for  troops, 
30;  attitude  toward  Ky.,  33;  be- 
fore Bull  Run,  40 ; after  Bull 
Run,  46;  censures  Fremont’s  ac- 
tion in  Mo.,  50;  institution  of 
Blockade,  62 ; Trent  affair,  63 ; 
McClellan  in.  command,  94,  97, 
105 ; depressed  over  Pope’s  defeat, 
111;  reads  proclamation  of  eman- 
cipation to  Cabinet,  116,  117; 

Burnside  supersedes  McClellan, 
117,  118;  relieves  Burnside,  121; 
appoints  Grant  lieut.-gen.,  253 ; 
messages  to  Sherman,  325 ; City 
Point,  344;  conference  with  Grant, 
344;  in  Richmond,  372;  liberal  re- 
construction policies,  372,  373;  as- 
sassination, 373;  grief  of  nation, 
373;  funeral,  373. 

Literature  in  South  and  North,  20. 

Little  Rock,  Ark.,  19,  45,  132,  161, 
204,  207,  221. 

Little  Round  Top  (Gettysburg),  167. 

Logan,  John  A.,  tJ  maj.-gen.,  Vicks- 
burg Cam.,  152,  157 ; Atlanta 

Cam.,  224,  227,  229,  234,  237, 

239;  in  N.  C.,  334,  336,  338. 

Long,  A.  L.,  C brig.-gen.,  171. 

Long,  Eli,  U brig.-gen.,  348,  349,  350. 

Longstreet,  Jas.,  C lieut.-gen.,  at  Bull 
Run,  41;  at  Williamsburg,  95;  at 
Seven  Pines,  99,  100 ; Beaver 

Dam,  101;  Gaines  Mill,  102,  103; 
Glendale,  103 ; against  Pope,  107, 
108 ; Culpeper,  107 ; 2nd  Bull 

Run,  109,  110;  Antietam,  113, 

114;  South  Mt.,  113;  Fredericks- 
burg, 118;  Chancellorsville,  137, 

138,  142 ; Gettysburg,  162,  163, 
164,  166,  169,  172,  173;  delays 
Lee’s  plans,  170,  171,  174,  175; 


INDEX 


405 


sent  to  Bragg,  179 ; Chickamauga, 
190,  191,  193,  194;  differences 

■with  Bragg,  194;  at  Chattanooga, 
195  ; character,  195  ; at  Knoxville, 
196,  197,  198,  201;  winter  quar- 
ters, 197;  Wilderness,  255,  258; 
delay  almost  fatal,  256,  257 ; 

wounded,  258,  259 ; Cold  Harbor, 
269,  270;  Petersburg,  356,  359; 
Appomattox,  364,  366,  367,  368. 

Lookout  Mt.,  Tenn.,  195,  196,  198, 
199. 

Loring,  Wm.  W.,  C maj.-gen.,  in  W. 
Va.,  60;  Romney  Cam.,  60,  61; 
in  Miss.,  152,  153 ; Atlanta  Cam., 
229,  234,  237. 

Louisiana  secedes,  18. 

Louisville,  Ky.,  125. 

Lovejoy  Station,  Ga.,  236,  238,  240. 

Lovell,  Mansfield,  C maj.-gen..  New 
Orleans,  87,  88,  89. 

Lynchburg,  Ta.,  268,  274,  353,  354, 
363,  366,  367. 

Lyon,  Nathaniel,  U brig.-gen.,  in  St. 
Louis,  33 ; in  Mo.,  46,  48 ; opera- 
tions against  Price,  48;  Wilson 
Creek,  49 ; killed,  49. 

Lyon,  H.  B.,  C brig.-gen.,  in  Ky.,  312; 
in  Tenn.,  313. 

McCall,  Geo.  A.,  TJ  brig.-gen.,  58. 

MeCausland,  John,  C brig.-gen.,  in  W. 
Va.,  267;  in  Pa.,  280. 

McClellan,  Geo.  B.,  U gen.,  com- 
mands Ohio  troops,  37 ; in  W.  Va., 
37,  .38;  popularity,  46;  great  or- 
ganizer, 46,  58,  60;  succeeds 

Scott,  46,  58 ; orders  to  Stone, 
59;  illness  in  1861,  94;  Penin- 
sular Cam.,  94,  96,  98,  100,  101, 
102,  103,  104;  outwitted  by  Ma- 
gruder,  95;  Seven  Pines,  98,  99; 
retreat,  103,  104;  Malvern  Hill, 
104;  Harrison  Landing,  105; 
superseded  by  Pope,  107,  108 ; 

chief  command.  111;  finds  Hill’s 
letter,  112,  113;  Antietam,  114, 
115,  116;  superseded  by  Burnside, 
117. 

McClernand,  John  A.,  TJ  maj.-gen.. 
Port  Donelson,  69,  70,  71;  Shiloh, 
73,  76;  Vicksburg  Cam.,  131; 

149,  150,  151,  152,  153,  154, 

155;  in  Ark.,  131. 

McCook,  Alex.  McD.,  U maj.-gen., 
Perryville,  125,  120;  Murfrees- 

boro, 34,  135 ; Chickamauga,  189, 
190,  191,  192,  193. 

McCook,  Edward  M.,  U brig.-gen.,  At- 
lanta, 236;  in  Ala.,  348,  350. 

McCown,  John  P.,  C maj.-gen..  Island 
No.  10,  82,  83,  84;  Murfreesboro, 
134. 

McCulloh,  Ben.,  C brig.-gen.,  joins 
Price,  48 ; in  Ark.,  45,  50 ; in 
Mo.,  49;  Pea  Ridge,  80,  81;  k, 
81. 


McDowell,  Irvin,  U maj.-gen.,  1st 
Bull  Run,  plans,  40,  41;  error, 
42 ; defeat,  43 ; after  Bull  Run, 
58,  94;  under  Pope,  108,  109, 
110. 

McDowell,  W.  Va.,  96. 

McIntosh,  Jas.,  C brig.-gen.,  col.  2nd. 
Ark.,  in  Mo.,  49. 

McIntosh,  John  B.,  U maj.-gen..  Pea 
Ridge,  80,  81. 

Mackall,  W.  W.,  C brig.-gen..  New  Ma- 
drid and  Island  No.  10,  84. 

McKean,  Wm.,  W.,  U Gulf  Squadron, 
47. 

McLaws,  Lafayette,  C maj.-gen.,  An- 
tietam, 113,  115;  Chancellorsville, 
146,  147;  Gettysburg,  162,  171, 
172,  175;  at  Knoxville,  197;  Ben- 
tonville,  340,  341. 

McLean,  Wilmer,  House,  where  Lee 
surrendered,  368. 

McPherson,  Jas.  B.,  U maj.-gen.,  Vicks- 
burg Cam.,  149,  151,  152,  154, 
156,  157;  Meridian,  211,  212; 

Red  River,  212;  Atlanta  Cam., 
224,  225,  227,  229,  230,  231,  233, 
234;  capable  officer,  235;  k,  235. 

Macon,  Ga.,  321,  322,  350,  380. 

Magruder,  John  B.,  C maj.-gen.,  York- 
town,  40 ; Big  Bethel,  40 ; Penin- 
sular Cam.,  94,  95,  101,  104;  in 
Texas,  139 ; at  Galveston,  139, 
140. 

Mahone,  W^m.,  C maj.-gen.,  Petersburg, 
289,  294,  353 ; Appomattox,  363, 
364,  368. 

Mallory,  S.  R.,  C Sec.  of  Navy,  62. 

Malvern  Hill,  Va.,  battle,  104. 

Manassas  Junction,  Va.,  40,  41,  107 ; 
occupied  by  Beauregard,  40 ; 2nd. 
battle,  108,  109,  110,  111;  spoils, 
108;  results.  111. 

Mansfield,  Jos.  K.,  U maj.-gen.,  An- 
tietam, k,  115. 

Marmaduke,  John  S.,  C maj.-gen.,  in 
Ark.,  132,  161;  in  Mo.,  203,  204, 
205,  250. 

Manson,  Mahlon  D.,  U brig.-gen.,  Rich- 
mond, Ky.,  124. 

Marietta,  Ga.,  226,  227,  230. 

Marshall,  Humphrey,  C brig.-gen.,  in 
Ky.,  65. 

Marshall,  Chas.,  C lieut.-col.,  368. 

Martinsburg,  W.  Va.,  40,  278,  280. 

Marye’s  Heights,  Va.,  battle,  118,  119. 

Maryland  invasion,  112;  under  Union, 
112;  C sympathizers,  30. 

Mason  and  Dixon  Line,  13. 

Mason,  Jas.  M.,  63. 

Maurv,  Dabney  H.,  C maj.-gen..  Mo- 
bile, 331,  332,  333. 

Maysville,  Ky.,  277. 

Meade,  Geo.  G.,  U maj.-gen.,  character, 
165;  under  Burnside,  119,  121; 
Chancellorsville,  142,  143,  144; 

Gettysburg  Cam.,  165,  166,  167, 
170,  171,  173,  174,  175,  178; 


406 


INDEX 


Northern  criticism,  178,  179 ; 

Mine  Run,  208,  209,  210;  Wilder- 
ness, 255,  256;  Petersburg,  288, 
293. 

Mechanicsrille,  Va.,  battle,  101,  102. 

Memphis,  Tenn.,  25,  79 ; naval  battle, 

86. 

Meridian,  Miss.,  158,  211,  212,  333. 

Merrimac  (Virginia),  31;  engagement 
with  Mcnitor,  92,  93;  burned,  93, 
96. 

Merritt,  Wesley,  U maj.-gen.,  261,  283, 
284,  353,  358,  366. 

Middle  Creek,  Ky.,  65. 

Miles,  Nelson  A.,  U maj.-gen.,  Peters- 
burg, 292;  Five  Porks,  356;  Ap- 
pomattox, 366. 

Milledgeville,  Ga.,  321,  322. 

Mills  Springs,  Ky.,  65 ; battle,  66,  67 ; 
Zolllcoffer  killed,  66 ; Crittenden  de- 
feated, 67 ; results,  67. 

Milroy,  Robt.  H.,  U maj.-gen.,  Shenan- 
doah, 96;  defeat  at  Winchester, 
163,  164;  Murfreesboro,  309. 

Mine  Horror,  Petersburg,  Crater  fight, 
288,  289. 

Minnesota,  U frigate,  92. 

Missionary  Ridge,  Tenn.,  mentioned, 
189,  193,  195,  198;  battle,  199, 
200,  201;  grand  charge,  200; 

Bragg's  defeat,  201. 

Mississippi  River,  25,  140 ; importance, 
62;  forts,  131;  New  Orleans,  87. 

Mississippi,  State,  secedes,  18. 

Missouri  Compromise,  15,  16. 

Missouri,  State,  attitude  toward  Union 
and  C,  32,  33;  attempts  to  secede, 
33,  51;  martial  law,  250. 

Mitchell,  Ormsby  M.,  U maj.-gen.,  in 
Ala.,  86. 

Mobile,  Ala.,  242. 

Mobile  Bay,  topography,  242,  243 ; de- 
fenses, 242,  243  ; importance  to  C, 
242;  battle,  242,  243,  244;  cap- 
ture, 331,  332,  333. 

Monitor,  The,  U iron-clad,  appearance, 
92;  in  action,  93. 

Monocacy  Junction,  Md.,  battle,  279. 

Montgomery,  Ala.,  18,  20,  350_. 

Morgan,  Geo.  W.,  U brig. -gen.,  in  Ky., 
123. 

Morgan,  John  H.,  C brig.-gen.,  char- 
acter, 278;  in  Tenn.,  122,  123; 
in  Ky.,  122,  123,  134,  186;  great 
raid  into  Ohio,  186;  capture,  187; 
escape,  188;  in  W.  Va.,  267;  last 
raid,  277,  278;  murdered  at 

Greenville,  Tenn.,  278;  buried, 

Morris,  Thos.  A.,  U maj.-gen.,  m W. 
Va.,  37,  38. 

Morris  Island,  Charleston,  138,  180. 

Mosby,  John  S.,  C col.,  281, 

Mount  Sterling,  Ky.,  27'7. 

Motherwell,  E.  Q.,  U maj.,  347. 

Mulligan,  Jas.  A.,  U brig.-gen.,  cap- 
tured at  Lexington,  Mo.,  51. 


Mumford,  Wm.  B.,  hanged  in  New  Or- 
leans, 89. 

Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  mentioned,  309; 
raided  by  Forrest,  123 ; battle, 
134,  135,  136;  results,  136. 
Murray,  Eli  H.,  U brig.-gen.,  321. 

Nashville,  Tenn,,  mentioned,  66,  183; 
occupied  by  Federals,  122,  123, 
134;  battle,  306,  307,  308,  309, 
310;  C severe  defeat,  310;  results, 
310,  311. 

Natchez,  Miss.,  89. 

Negley,  Jas.  S.,  U maj.-gen.,  Stone 
River,  135,  136;  Chickamauga, 

190,  191. 

Nelson,  Wm.,  U maj.-gen.,  sent  by 
Lincoln  to  Ky.,  33;  at  Nashville, 
73;  at  Shiloh,  75,  78,  79;  at 

Richmond,  Ky.,  123,  124. 

New  Hope  Church,  Ga.,  battle,  226, 
227 

New  Madrid,  Mo.,  82,  83,  84. 

New  Market,  Va.,  96,  267. 

New  Orleans,  La.,  20,  22,  25,  206, 
207;  important  city,  90;  de- 
fenses, 87 ; burial  of  Johnston, 
79 ; capture,  89 ; Butler  military 
Gov.,  89 ; greatly  disliked,  89,  90. 
New  York  City,  21. 

Norfolk,  Va.,  274. 

North  Anna,  Va.,  261,  265,  269,  270. 
North  Carolina,  32,  137 ; secedes,  20, 

32;  blockaded,  32. 

Ocmulgee  River,  Ga.,  321. 

Oconee  River,  Ga.,  321,  322. 

Ohio  River,  25,  62,  186. 

Ogeechee  River,  Ga.,  323,  324. 
Opdycke,  C.,  U maj.-gen.,  at  Franklin, 
305. 

Opequou  Creek,  Va.,  255,  256. 

Ord,  Edw.  O.,  U maj.-gen.,  Urans- 

ville,  Va.,  60;  in  Miss.,  130,  155, 
157 ; Petersburg,  292,  293,  358, 
359;  in  N.  C.,  319;  Appomattox, 
363,  364,  365,  367,  368,  369. 
Osterhause,  Peter  J.,  U maj.-gen., 
Chattanooga,  198;  in  Ga.,  321. 
Owensville,  Ky.,  277. 

Paducah,  Ky.,  25,  298;  location,  26; 
Grant  occupies,  53 ; Smith  at,  67 ; 
Forrest  raid,  214. 

Paintville,  Ky.,  328. 

Paine,  Chas.  J.,  U maj.-gen.,  160, 
332. 

Palmer,  John  M.,  U maj.-gen.,  190, 

191,  198,  224,  229,  343. 

Pamlico  Sound,  91. 

Patterson,  Robt.,  U maj.-gen.,  39 ; near 
Harper’s  Ferry,  40 ; outwitted  by 
Johnston,  40,  41. 

Payne,  Lewis,  373,  374. 

Pea  Ridge,  Ark.,  battle,  80,  818,  821; 
Indians,  82. 

Peach  Tree  Creek,  Ga.,  battle,  234. 


INDEX 


407 


Peck,  John  J.,  U maj.-gen.,  Suffolk, 
Va.,  137,  138. 

Pegram,  John,  C maj.-gen.,  Rich  Mt., 
38;  surrender,  38;  in  Shenandoah, 
284;  Petersburg,  291,  353;  k, 

353. 

Pemberton,  John  C.,  C lieut.-gen., 
supersedes  Van  Dorn,  130;  Vicks- 
burg cam.,  150,  151,  152,  153, 
154,  155,  156;  surrender,  156, 

157 ; severely  censui'ed,  347 ; last 
fight,  347. 

Pender,  V'm.  D.,  C maj.-gen.,  175. 

Pendleton,  IVm.  N.,  C brig.-gen.,  Get- 
tysburg, 170. 

Peninsular  cam.,  94,  95,  97,  98,  99, 
100,  101,  102,  103,  104;  results, 
104,  105. 

Pensacola,  Fla.,  19,  62. 

Perryville,  Ky.,  battle,  125,  126;  forces 
engaged,  125. 

Petersburg,  Va.,  importance,  274;  de- 
fenses, 274;  Beauregard’s  defense, 
266,  274;  siege,  287;  mine  hor- 
ror, 288,  289;  surrender,  360. 

Petrel,  C gunboat,  246. 

Pettigrew,  J.  J.,  C brig.-gen.,  Gettys- 
Wrg,  175,  176;  k,  178. 

Pettus,  Edmund  W.,  C brig.-gen., 
Chattanooga,  198. 

Philippi,  W.  Va.,  battle,  37. 

Pickett,  Geo.  E.,  C maj.-gen.,  Gettys- 
burg, 162;  heroic  charge,  175, 
176,  177;  North  Anna,  269; 

Petersburg,  356,  357,  358;  Appo- 
mattox, 364,  365. 

Pike,  Albert,  C brig.-gen..  Pea  Ridge, 
80,  81,  82. 

Pillow,  Gideon  J.,  C brig.-gen.,  in 
Tenn.,  44;  Belmont,  53;  Fort 
Donelson,  68,  70,  71,  72. 

Pittsburg  Landing,  Tenn.,  73,  75,  76, 
77,  85. 

Pleasant  Hill,  La.,  battle,  219,  220. 

Pleasanton,  Alfred,  U maj.-gen.,  at 
Chancellorsville,  145 ; Gettysburg, 
178;  in  Mo.,  251. 

Polk,  Leonidas,  C lieut.-gen.,  in  Tenn., 
45;  Episcopal  bishop,  52,  228; 

Columbus,  Kv.,  52,  53,  73 ; Shi- 
loh, 76;  Perryville,  Ky.,  122,  125, 
126;  Stone  River,  134,  135; 

Chickamauga.  191,  193;  delay  in 
enforcing  orders,  192;  Bragg  dis- 
credit him,  194;  in  Miss.,  194, 
211,  212;  Atlanta  cam.,  224;  k, 
228. 

Pope,  John,  U maj.-gen.,  character, 
106;  New  Madrid,  83;  Island  No. 
10,  83,  84;  in  Miss.,  85,  86:  or- 
dered to  Washington,  85,  106; 

corn’d  army  of  the  Potomac,  107, 
108 ; disastrous  defeat  at  2nd 
Manassas,  109,  110. 

Port  Gibson,  Miss.,  150,  151. 

Population  of  the  N.  and  S.,  21,  22. 

Port  Hudson,  La.,  122,  159 ; battle, 
97. 


Port  Republic,  Va.,  283;  battle,  97. 

Port  Royal,  S.  C.,  63;  expedition, 

138. 

Porter,  David  D.,  U rear-adm.,  Vicks- 
burg, 149,  150,  154,  155,  156, 

157;  at  N.  O.,  89;  Red  River, 
63,  160,  218.  220,  221;  before 

Port  Fisher,  317,  318,  319,  327. 

Porter,  Pitz-John,  U maj.-gen.,  58; 
Peninsular  cam.,  98,  100;  Gaines 
Mill,  102,  103;  2nd  Bull  Run, 

107,  109,  110. 

Porterfield,  G.  A.,  C col.,  W.  Va.,  37. 

Potomac  River,  25,  36,  59,  93. 

Pound  Gap,  Ky.,  65,  277. 

Prairie  Grove,  Ark.,  battle,  132,  133, 
203. 

Prentiss,  Benj.  M.,  U maj.-gen.,  Cairo, 
46;  Shiloh,  76,  77. 

Preston,  C brig.-gen.,  193. 

Price,  Sterling.  C maj.-gen.,  against 
Lyon  in  Mo.,  33,  45;  corn'd  Mo. 
troops,  48;  in  Ark.,  80;  in  Mo., 
49,  80 ; battle  Wilson  Creek,  49, 
50;  great  raid  in  Mo.,  51,  52; 
captures  Mulligan,  51;  superseded 
by  Van  Dorn,  80;  battle  Pea 
Ridge,  81;  at  Corinth  and  luka, 
79,  129,  130;  Helena,  81,  161; 
last  raid  in  Mo.,  250,  251,  252; 
surrender,  381. 

Pulaski,  Tenn.,  301,  302,  311. 


Quantrall,  W.  C.,  guerilla,  205. 


Railroads  of  the  South,  26,  27,  28. 

Raleigh,  N.  C.,  32,  375,  377,  378. 

Ramseur,  S.  D.,  C maj.-gen.,  in  Shen- 
andoah, 282,  284. 

Rapidan  River,  36,  106,  143,  255, 

256. 

Rappahannock  River,  25,  36,  107,  143, 
223,  256. 

Raymond,  Miss.,  battle,  151. 

Reagan,  John  H.,  C Post  M.  General, 
capture,  379,  380. 

Reams  Station,  Va.,  battle,  276,  291, 
292. 

Reconstruction,  Lincoln  Policy,  372; 
great  blunder,  29. 

Red  River,  La.,  expedition,  217,  218, 
219,  220,  221. 

Reno,  Jesse  L.,  U maj.-gen.,  109,  110, 
113,  115. 

Republican  Party,  17,  18,  117. 

Resaca,  Ga.,  225,  300,  301;  battle, 
225,  226. 

Resources  of  North  and  South,  21,  22, 
23. 

Reynolds,  John  F.,  U maj.-gen..  Penin- 
sular cam.,  2nd  Bull  Run,  107, 
110 ; Chancellorsville,  142,  143 ; 

Gettysburg,  164,  167,  168;  k, 

168. 

Rhett,  Alfred,  C col.,  339,  340. 

Rich  Mt.,  W.  Va.,  37,  38. 


408 


INDEX 


Richmond,  Ky.,  battle,  123,  124. 

Richmond,  Va.,  17,  261,  262,  270 
272,  274,  278,  363,  364;  becomes 
capital  of  C,  35;  attempts  to  burn, 
254;  Christmas,  1864,  295,  296; 
evacuation,  360,  361;  burning, 

361. 

Ricketts,  Jas.  B.,  U maj.-gen.,  under 
Pope,  106,  108,  110;  Wilderness, 
259;  Washington,  278. 

Ringgold,  Ga.,  224,  225. 

Rio  Grande  River,  24,  89. 

Rivers  of  the  South,  25,  26. 

Roanoke  Island,  91. 

Roanoke  River,  91,  92. 

Rodes,  Robert  E.,  C maj.-gen.,  Gettys- 
burg, 162,  165,  169,  173,  174; 
Wilderness,  257 ; Winchester,  k, 
283. 

Rolla,  Mo.,  50,  250. 

Rome,  Ga.,  184,  185,  226,  299,  300. 

Romney,  W.  Va.,  60;  cam.,  61. 

Rosecrans,  Wm.  S.,  U maj.-gen.,  in  W. 
Va.,  46,  55,  57.;  in  N.  Miss.,  123, 
129,  130 ; supersedes  Buell  in 

Tenn.,  127;  Stone  River,  134, 
135,  136;  Chickamauga  cam., 

183,  186,  188,  189,  190,  191, 

192 ; defeat,  193 ; superseded  by 
Thomas,  195;  in  Mo.,  250,  251. 

Rosser,  Thos.  L.,  C maj.-gen.,  in  Shen- 
andoah Valley,  284;  Appomattox, 
365,  368. 

Round  Top,  Gettysburg,  167. 

Rough  and  Ready  Station,  Ga.,  241. 

Rousseau,  Lovell  H.,  U maj.-gen.,  Mur- 
freesboro, 135. 

Rust,  Albert,  C col.,  56. 

Roddey,  Philip  D.,  C brig.-gen.,  348, 
349,  350. 


Sabine  Pass,  Tex.,  139,  140,  206. 

Sailor  Creek,  Va.,  battle,  364,  365. 

Saltville,  Va.,  316,  317. 

St.  Louis,  Mo.,  22,  33,  46. 

Saluda  River,  S.  C.,  335. 

San  Jacinto,  XJ  vessel,  63. 

Sansom,  Emma,  185. 

Sante  Fe,  N.  M.,  89. 

Savannah  River,  Ga.,  63,  323,  334. 

Savannah,  Ga.,  90,  320,  322,  323, 

380;  capture,  324,  325,  326. 

Savannah,  Tenn.,  73,  75. 

Savannah,  C cruiser,  246. 

Schoef,  U brig.-gen.,  66. 

Schofield,  John  M.,  U maj.-gen.,  in 
Mo.,  81;  Atlanta  cam.,  225,  228, 
231,  233,  234,  235,  239;  in  Tenn., 
301,  302,  303;  at  Franklin,  304, 
305;  at  Nashville,  306,  307,  308, 
312;  in  N.  C.,  229,  335,  339,  343, 
344;  at  Greensboro,  379. 

Schurz,  Carl,  U maj.-gen.,  Chancellors- 
ville,  145 ; Gettysburg,  168,  169. 

Scott,  Winfield,  U lieut.-gen.,  31,  39. 

Secession,  33. 


Sedgwick,  John,  U maj.-gen.,  Chancel- 
lorsville,  142,  143,  146,  147;  Get- 
tysburg, 16a,  167,  170;  Wilder- 
ness, 255,  256,  258,  259;  k,  263 

Selma,  Ala.,  242,  348;  battle,  349 
350. 

Seminary  Ridge,  Gettysburg,  167. 

Semmes,  Raphael,  C rear-adm.,  corn'd 
cruiser  Sumter,  246;  Alabama 
247,  248. 

Seven  Days’  battles,  .Tune  25-July  1st, 
'62,  101-105;  C strength,  105;  U 
strength,  105 ; losses  of  C,  104 ; 
losses  of  U,  104;  results,  104 
105. 

Seven  Pines,  battle,  99. 

Seymour,  Truman,  tJ  maj.-gen.,  222 
259,  364. 

Seward,  Wm.  H.,  TJ  Sec’y  State,  373. 

Sharpsburg,  Md.,  114;  battle,  115 
116. 

Shenandoah  River,  36,  87,  281. 

Shenandoah  Valiev,  Jackson’s  cam.,  94 
96,  97,  98;  Early,  277-286;  Sher- 
idan, 280,  286. 

Sheperdstown,  Va.,  116,  164,  282. 

Sheridan,  Philip  H.,  U gen.,  Perry- 
ville,  Kj-.,  126  ; Murfreesboro,  135  ; 
Chickamauga,  191,  192,  193,  198, 
200;  Chattanooga,  200;  com’ds 
Grant’s  cavalry  in  Va.,  256;  raid 
to  Richmond,  261,  262;  Cold 

Harbor,  270,  271;  in  the  Shenan- 
doah, 280,  281,  282,  283,  286, 
285;  destructiveness,  284;  moves 
to  join  Grant,  353,  354,  355; 

Five  Porks,  356,  357,  358;  pur- 
suit of  Lee,  363,  364,  366,  367; 
at  Appomattox,  369. 

Sherman,  Thomas  W.,  TJ  maj.-gen.,  at 
Port  Royal,  63 ; Port  Hudson,  160. 

Sherman,  Wm.  Tecumseh,  TJ  gen.,  at 
Louisville,  Ky.,  46;  at  Shiloh,  73, 
76;  good  generalship,  77;  not  pre- 
pared for  attack,  76,  85;  defeated 
at  Chickasaw-Bluff,  130,  131; 

Vicksburg  cam.,  149,  151,  152, 

153,  154;  after  Vicksburg,  158; 

plunderer,  152,  325,  326;  Chatta- 
nooga, 195,  196,  198,  199,  200, 

201 ; sent  to  Knoxville,  197 ; in 
Miss,  again,  211,  212,  213;  de- 
struction of  property,  212;  Atlanta 
cam.,  224,  225,  226,  227,  228, 

230,  232,  233,  234,  235,  236, 
237,  238,  239;  strength  of  army, 
224;  Kenesaw  Mt.,  229;  captures 
Atlanta,  240;  inhuman  order,  240, 
241;  follows  Hood,  298,  299,  300, 
301;  plans  march  to  the  sea,  301, 
320,  321;  burns  Atlanta,  320; 

march  through  Ga.,  322,  323, 

324 ; captures  Savannah,  325 ; 
Carolina  cam.,  334,  335,  338,  339, 
340,  344;  burns  Columbia,  336, 
337;  Bentonville,  340,  341,  342, 
343;  at  City  Point,  344;  treaty 
with  Johnston,  375,  376,  377, 


lEDEX 


409 


378;  surrender  of  Johnston,  379; 
severely  criticized,  378. 

Shields,  Jas.,  U maj.-gen.,  in  Shenan- 
doah, 94,  96,  97 ; battle  at  Kerns- 
toTvn,  95. 

Shiloh,  Tenn.,  battle,  75;  topography 
of  field,  76;  Federals  surprised, 
76;  C delay  in  attack,  76;  plan 
of  attack,  75,  76;  confusion  of 
U,  77 ; Johnston  killed,  77 ; Beau- 
regard in  command,  77 : Bragg 
last  charge,  77;  Webster  battery, 
77,  78;  arrival  of  Nelson,  78; 

Beauregard’s  error,  78 ; arrival  of 
Buell,  78;  battle  of  7th,  78,  79; 
retreat  of  C,  79 ; strength  of  U, 
75,  78;  strength  of  C,  76,  78; 
losses,  79 ; results,  79 ; Grant  cen- 
sured, 85. 

Ship  Island,  Miss.,  88. 

Shreveport,  Miss.,  218. 

Sibley,  Henry  H.,  C brig.-gen.,  89. 

Sickles,  Daniel  E.,  U maj.-gen..  Pen- 
insular cam.,  100;  Chancellors- 
ville,  142,  143,  144,  145,  146; 

Gettysburg,  164,  169,  170,  171. 

Sigel.  Franz,  U maj.-gen.,  Springfield, 
Mo.,  48;  Wilson  Creek,  49;  Pea 
Ridge,  80,  81;  in  Shenandoah, 

97;  under  Pope,  106,  108,  109; 
in  W.  Va.,  267,  268,  278. 

Slavery,  13,  14,  15,  16,  17,  23. 

Slidell,  John,  Tr^nt  affair,  63. 

Slocum,  Henry  W.,  U maj.-gen..  Penin- 
sular cam.,  103 ; Chancellorsville, 
142,  143,  144,  146;  Gettysburg, 
165,  167,  169,  170;  Chattanooga, 
299;  in  Ga.,  237,  240,  299,  321, 
322;  in  the  Carolinas,  334,  338, 
340,  341,  842. 

Smith,  A.  J.,  U brig.-gen.,  in  Miss., 
157,  217 ; defeated  by  Forrest, 

217;  Red  River,  218,  220;  in 
Miss.,  297;  Nashville,  306,  307; 
Mobile,  331,  332. 

Smith,  Chas.  F.,  U maj.-gen.,  at  Pa- 
ducah, Ky.,  53,  67 ; Fort  Heiman, 
69;  Fort  Donelson,  71,  73;  at 

Shiloh,  76. 

Smith,  Edmund  Kirby,  C gen.,  at  Ist 
Bull  Run,  43 ; saves  the  day,  43 ; 
E.  Tenn.,  123 ; invades  Ky.,  124 ; 
Perryville,  125,  126;  commands  in 
Ark.,  218,  250;  Red  River  exp., 
220,  221;  Miss,  dept.,  380;  sur- 
render, 381. 

Smith,  Gustavus  W.,  C maj.-gen..  Pen- 
insular cam.,  99,  100 ; Ga.  mili- 
tia, 234,  324,  335;  in  N.  C.,  341. 

Smith,  Wm.  Farrar,  U maj.-gen.,  Chat- 
tanooga, 196;  corn’d  Army  of  The 
James,  270,  274;  Cold  Harbor, 
270. 

Smith,  M.  L.,  C maj.-gen.,  154. 

Smith,  Wm.  Sooy,  U brig.-gen.,  Oko- 
lona,  213. 


South  Carolina,  Nullification  episode, 
17 ; acts  of  secession,  18 ; losses, 
386. 

South  Mt.,  Md.,  battle,  113 ; brave  de- 
fense, 113;  strength  and  losses, 
113. 

Spottsylvania,  Va.,  256,  261;  battle, 
263,  264;  Alsop  Farm,  262. 

Springfield,  111.,  373. 

Springfield,  Mo.,  45,  48,  65,  80,  81, 
203. 

Stanley,  David  S.,  U maj.-gen.,  At- 
lanta cam.,  225,  239 ; moves  to 
Tenn.,  300,  301,  303;  Franklin, 
305,  306. 

Stanton,  Edwin  M.,  U Sec’y  of  War 
334,  376. 

States  Rights,  16,  17,  382. 

Staunton,  Va.,  283,  286,  354, 

Staunton  River,  275. 

Star  of  West,  The,  U vessel,  19. 

States,  refuse  Lincoln’s  call  for  volun- 
teers, 30. 

Stedman,  Jas.  B.,  U maj.-gen.,  308. 

Steele,  Fred’k,  U maj.-gen.,  captures 
Little  Rock,  207 ; defeat  in  Red 
River  exp.,  221;  Mobile,  331. 

Steinwehr,  Adolph  von,  U brig.-gen., 
Chancellorsville,  145 ; Gettysburg, 
168. 

Stephens,  Alex.  H.,  C vice-pres.,  18, 
19,  379,  380. 

Stevenson,  Carter  L.,  C maj.-gen., 
Vicksburg,  152,  154. 

Stewart,  Alex.  P.,  C lieut.-gen.,  Chick- 
amauga,  193 ; Chattanooga,  194, 
199;  Atlanta  cam.,  233,  239,  240; 
in  Tenn.,  302,  303,  304,  305; 

Nashville,  307,  308,  309;  Benton- 
ville,  340,  341;  Kinston,  N.  C., 
343. 

Stone  Bridge  (Bull  Run),  42. 

Stone,  Chas.  P.,  U brig.-gen.,  58; 
Ball-Bluff  disaster,  59,  60. 

Stoneman,  Geo.,  U maj.-gen.,  Chancel- 
lorsville, 142,  143 ; Atlanta  cam., 
236;  in  E.  Tenn.,  317;  last  raid, 
346,  347. 

Strahl,  O.  F.,  C hrig.-gen.,  305. 

Streight,  A.  D.,  U col.,  184,  185,  186. 

Stringham,  Silas  H.,  U commodore, 
62. 

Stuart,  J.  E.  B.,  C lieut.-gen.,  Dranes- 
ville,  Va.,  60;  Peninsula  raid, 
101;  Catlett  Station,  nearly  cap- 
tures Pope,  107;  Antietam,  118; 
Chancellorsville,  143,  144,  145, 

146;  Gettysburg  cam.,  162,  163, 
166,  177 ; Spottsylvania,  261 ; 

Yellow  Tavern,  261;  killed,  262; 
Lee’s  estimate,  262. 

Sturgis,  Sam’l  D.,  U maj.-gen.,  de- 
feated by  Forrest,  216,  217. 

Sudley  Springs,  Va.,  42. 

Suffolk,  Va.,  137,  138. 

Sullivan  Island,  138. 

Sumner,  Edwin  V.,  U maj.-gen..  Pen- 
insular cam.,  98,  99,  103 ; 2nd 


410 


INDEX 


Bull  Run,  108,  110;  Antietam, 

115;  Fredericksburg,  118,  119, 

120. 

Sumter,  The,  C cruiser,  246. 

Sykes,  Geo.,  U maj.-gen.,  Gettysburg, 
167,  170. 


Taliaferro,  Wm.  B.,  C brig.-gen.,  Gos- 
port Navy  Yard,  31;  Fredericks- 
burg, 119;  in  N.  C.,  340,  341. 

Tallahatchie  River,  213. 

Tattnall,  .Josiah,  C com’dore,  destroys 
the  “Virginia,”  93,  96. 

Taylor,  Rich’d,  C lieut.-gen.,  in  Ark., 
155 ; defeated  by  Banks  in  La., 
160;  takes  Brashear  City,  161; 
Red  River  e.xp.,  218,  219,  220, 
221;  in  Ala,,  331,  348,  349;  sur- 
render, 379. 

Teche  (Bayou),  La.,  159,  161. 

Tennessee,  military  alliance  with  Con- 
federacy, 32;  secedes,  20,  32. 

Tennessee  River,  25,  75,  76,  184,  189, 
194,  195,  196,  301,  302,  311, 

312. 

Terrill,  Wm.  R.,  U brig.-gen.,  Perry- 
ville,  Ky.,  126;  k,  126. 

Terry,  Alfred  H.,  U maj.-gen..  Charles- 
ton, 180;  Petersburg,  293;  Fort 
Fisher,  327,  328,  329. 

Texas,  secedes,  18 ; takes  control  of 
Federal  property,  20. 

Thatcher,  Henry  K.,  rear-adm.,  331. 

Thayer,  John  M.,  U maj.-gen..  Fort 
Donelson,  70;  Vicksburg,  131. 

Thomas,  Geo.  H.,  U maj.-gen.,  Mills 
Springs,  66,  67 ; Corinth,  85 ; in 
Tenn.,  134;  Stone  River,  134,  135; 
Chickamauga,  189,  190,  191,  192; 
“Rock  of  Chickamauga,”  193, 
312;  supersedes  Rosecrans,  195; 
Chattanooga  cam.,  195,  194  199, 
200,  201;  Atlanta  cam.,  224,  225, 
228,  231,  233,  234,  240;  Kene- 
saw  Mt.,  229 ; in  Tenn.,  299, 
301,  302;  Nashville,  306,  307, 

308,  811;  Grant’s  attitude  toward, 
312. 

Thompson,  A,  P.,  C col.  3rd  Ky.,  killed 
in  Padiicah,  Ky.,  214. 

Thoroughfare  Gap,  Va.,  107. 

Tilghman,  Lloyd,  C brig.-gen..  Port 
Henry,  68 ; surrender,  68 ; Vicks- 
burg cam.,  152,  153;  killed  at 

Champion  Hill,  153. 

Tiptonville,  Tenn.,  82,  84. 

Tombigbee  River,  333. 

Toombs,  Robt.,  C brig.-gen.,  sec’y  of 
state,  Antietam,  115. 

Torbert,  A.  T.,  U maj.-gen.,  271,  282, 
283. 

Trent  affair,  63. 

Trevilian  Station,  Va.,  action,  272. 

Trimble,  Isaac  R.,  C maj.-gen.,  Gettys- 
burg, 175. 

Tullahoma.  Tenn.,  183. 

Tunnell  Hill,  Ga.,  action,  300. 


Tupelo,  Miss.,  86,  122,  313. 
Tuscaloosa,  Ala.,  348,  350. 

Twiggs,  David  E.  (U.  S.  brig.-gen.), 
C maj.-gen.,  20. 

Tybee  Island,  Ga.,  63,  91. 

Tyler,  Daniel,  U brig.-gen.,  at  Bull 
Run,  41,  42. 

Tyler,  H.  A.,  C capt.,  mentioned,  214; 
Brice  Cross  Roads,  217. 

Union  City,  Tenn.,  214. 

Upton,  Emory,  U brig.-gen.,  Spottsyl- 
vania,  264;  in  Ala.,  348,  34’9 
350. 


Van  Cleve,  Horatio  P.,  U maj.-gen. 
135,  136. 

Van  Dorn,  Earl,  C maj.-gen.,  in  Miss., 
79;  sent  to  Ark.  by  Pres.  Davis, 
80;  battle  of  Pea  Ridge,  80,  81; 
at  Vicksburg,  122 ; at  Corinth, 
129,  130;  Holly  Springs,  130;  su- 
perseded by  Pemberton,  130;  for- 
tifies Port  Hudson  and  Vicksburg, 
130;  in  Tenn.,  184. 

Vaughn,  John  C.,  C brig.-gen.,  in  S. 
W.  Va.,  316,  317;  in  N.  C.,  347; 
in  S.  C.,  379. 

Veatch,  Jas.  C.,  U maj.-gen.,  333. 

Vicksburg,  Miss.,  situation,  25,  131; 
importance,  122;  defenses,  131, 
154;  fortified  by  Van  Dorn,  122, 
130;  Farragut,  89,  140;  siege, 

154,  155 ; strength  of  C,  150, 

154;  strength  of  Feds.,  150,  155; 
bombardment,  155,  156;  surren- 

der, 156;  great  loss  to  C,  157; 
results,  157,  158. 

Virginia,  23;  secession  convention,  30; 
secedes,  20. 

Wadsworth,  Jas.  S.,  U maj.-gen.,  Get- 
tysburg, 168,  173;  Wilderness, 

257;  killed,  258. 

Wagner,  Geo.  D.,  U brig.-gen.,  Frank- 
lin, Tenn.,  304,  305. 

Walke.  Henry,  U rear-adm..  Fort  Don- 
elson,  69 ; Island  No.  10,  84. 

Walker,  W.  H.  F.,  C maj.-gen.,  Vicks- 
burg cam.,  151,  152 ; Chicka- 

mauga, 190,  191,  192;  Missionary 
Ridge,  199 ; Atlanta  cam.,  229, 
234,  237. 

Wallace,  Lew,  U maj.-gen..  Port  Don- 
elson,  69,  70;  Crump's  Landing, 
73,  '76;  Shiloh,  78;  at  Monocacy, 
279. 

Wallace,  W.  H.  L.,  U brig.-gen.,  at 
Shiloh,  76,  77. 

Walthall,  E.  C.,  C maj.-gen.,  237,  311. 

War,  the,  causes,  13,  14,  15,  16,  17, 
18,  19,  23 ; Pres.  Davis’  warning, 
19 : South’s  effort  at  peace  settle- 
ment, 34;  N.  preparation,  30,  35, 
36,  45,  58,  62,  254;  S.  prepara- 
tion, 34,  35,  44,  45,  254;  horrors 
of,  29,  316,  362;  Theater  of  in 


INDEX 


411 


East,  36;  results  of  1st  half,  62, 
90:  close  of  1862,  136;  magni- 
tude, 25,  30,  386,  387 ; results, 
381,  382;  N.  losses,  385,  386. 

■Wardsworth,  Samuel,  U gen.,  257 ; 
killed,  258. 

Waring,  Geo.  E.  Jr.,  U brig.-gen., 
204,  216. 

Warren,  Gourerneur  K.,  U maj.-gen., 
at  Gettysburg,  171,  172;  after 

Gettysburg,  208 ; Wilderness  cam., 
255,  256,  257,  258;  Spottsylva- 
nia,  263,  264;  Cold  Harbor,  269, 
270,  271;  Petersburg,  274,  290, 
294,  295,  352;  Five  Porks,  366, 
357 ; censured  by  Sheridan,  358. 

Warrenton  Junction,  Va.,  179. 

Washburne,  C.  C.,  U maj.-gen.,  Mem- 
phis, 216;  in  La.,  206,  207. 

Washington,  D.  C.,  46,  372 ; govern- 
ment, 19,  31,  87,  104,  112;  de- 
fenses, 31,  39;  fears  attack,  97, 
107,  278. 

Webster,  J.  D.,  U maj.-gen.,  at  Shiloh, 
77. 

Weitzel.  Godfrey,  U maj.-gen.,  in  La., 
159,  160;  Fort  Fisher,  318,  319; 
Richmond,  361,  372. 

Weldon  Railway,  Va.,  274,  275,  290, 
291,  292. 

West  Va.,  people  opposed  to  secession, 
37;  convention,  37;  secured  to 
Union,  38;  Wheeling,  37;  results 
of  campaign,  38;  Lee  in  the  State, 
55,  56,  57. 

Wharton,  G.  C.,  C brig.-gen.,  283, 
284,  286. 

Wheeler,  Joseph,  C lieut.-gen.,  in  Tenn., 
183;  at  Chickamauga,  190;  At- 
lanta cam.,  224,  238 ; in  Tenn., 
238,  300;  in  Ga.,  321,  322;  in  the 
Carolinas,  335,  341. 

Whigs,  17. 

Whipple,  C commodore,  87. 

White  House,  Va.,  McClellan’s  base, 
270. 

IVhite  Oak  Swamp,  Va.,  102. 

Whiting,  W.  H.  C.,  C maj.-gen..  Penin- 
sular cam.,  100;  Port  Fisher,  318, 
427,  328,  329. 

Wilcox,  Cadmus  M.,  C maj.-gen.,  men- 
tioned, 172,  173,  177,  257,  291. 

Wilke,  Chas.,  U capt.,  63. 


Wilderness,  The,  Va.,  36;  battles,  256, 
257,  258;  Grant’s  forces,  255; 

Lee's  forces,  255;  Longstreet 
wounded.  259;  forest  fire,  259; 
losses,  259;  results,  259,  260. 
Williamsburg,  Va.,  battle,  95. 
Wilmington,  N.  C.,  317,  318,  327,  328, 
329,  330,  343. 

Wilson,  Jas.  H.,  U maj.-gen.,  in  Wil- 
derness cam.,  261;  Petersburg, 
275,  276;  at  Nashville,  301,  302, 

306,  307,  308,  312;  in  Ala.,  332, 
347,  348 ; at  Selma,  Ala.,  349, 
350. 

Wilson  Creek,  Mo.,  battle,  49 ; results, 
49,  50. 

Winchester,  Va.,  mentioned,  40,  60, 

65,  282;  battles,  97,  163,  282, 
283. 

Winslow,  John  A.,  U naval  capt., 
Kearsarge,  247,  248. 

Wise,  Henrv  A.,  C brig.-gen.,  in  W. 
Va.,  37,  44,  55,  57;  Roanoke, 
Island,  57,  91. 

Withers,  J.  M.,  C maj.-gen.,  134,  135. 
Women  of  the  South,  their  loyalty,  209, 
255,  287. 

Wood,  'Thos.  J.,  U maj.-gen.,  Chicka- 
mauga, 192,  193;  Nashville,  306, 

307,  308,  310;  in  Ala.,  312. 
Worden,  John  L.,  U rear-adm.,  com. 

“Monitor,”  93. 

Wright,  A.  R.,  C maj.-gen.,  at  Gettys- 
burg, 173. 

Wright,  Horatio  G.,  U maj.-gen., 
Spottsvlvania,  263,  264 ; Cold 

Harbor,  269,  270,  271;  at  Wash- 
ington, 279 ; Cedar  Creek,  284, 
285;  Five  Porks,  358;  pursuit  of 
Lee,  364. 

Wytheville,  Va.,  346. 

Yazoo  River,  Miss.,  131. 

Yellow  Tavern,  Va.,  death  of  J.  E.  B. 

Stuart,  261. 

York  River,  270. 

Yorktown,  Va.,  40,  65,  95 ; battle  near, 
95. 

Zollicoffer,  Felix  K.,  C brig.-gen.,  in 
Tenn.,  44 ; Cumberland  Gap,  53 ; 
in  Ky.,  65,  66 ; killed  at  Mills 
Springs,  66. 


% 


Date  Due 


973,7  B661H 


369688 


■ :(i 
: 


